Shane Lowry Takes Four-Shot Irish Open Lead Into Final Round

Shane Lowry will take a 4-shot lead into the final round of the Amgen Irish Open after shooting 65 at Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg.

The 39-year-old reached 16-under par with six birdies and one bogey, pulling clear of playing partner Jacob Skov Olesen during a demanding back nine in County Clare.

Olesen sits second on 12-under after a 66, while first-round leader Joaquín Niemann is the nearest member of the chasing pack at 9-under. Lowry and Olesen opened a gap with US President Donald Trump watching from the links.

Lowry entered Saturday three ahead following his course-record 62 in the second round, but Olesen’s fast start brought the pair level at the turn.

Lowry pulls clear after the turn

Lowry began by holing a 31-foot birdie putt at the 1st, extending his overnight advantage to four. He added a two-putt birdie at the par-5 4th before dropping his only shot at the 5th.

A birdie at the 8th took him to 13-under, but Olesen matched that total after producing an eagle and three front-nine birdies.

Lowry regained the outright lead with a four-foot birdie at the 10th. An eight-foot par save followed at the 11th before he recovered from rough to hit his approach within nine feet at the 12th, converting the putt to move two clear.

Further par saves at the 13th and 14th maintained his advantage. Lowry then birdied the 15th from four feet and completed his round with three more saves, including a closing par as Olesen bogeyed the 18th.

The home favourite needed only nine putts across the back nine, combining three birdies with six pars as the wind strengthened and temperatures dropped.

“Any time you play links golf in 15, 20-mile-an-hour winds – and it got a little cold at the end there – it’s going to be hard and you’re going to have some testers for pars,” Lowry said.

“I felt like I did a great job today of just staying in the moment and playing my own game.”

Second Irish Open title within reach

Lowry won the Irish Open as an amateur in 2009 and now has the chance to claim his home championship for a second time. Sunday’s final round will come 17 years afhat breakthrough victory.

Large crowds again followed him around a Doonbeg layout shaped by coastal wind.

“I had so much fun out there on the back nine,” Lowry said. “The crowds were incredible. They cheered me on the whole way home and hopefully will do the same tomorrow.

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow. Final group, leading my home tournament, it’s a nice place to be and, yeah, it should be fun.”

Related: Trump Turnberry Opens Trump’s Twelve to Expand Ayrshire Golf Offering

The 12-hole par-three layout adds a shorter, flexible option for families, beginners and accomplished players at the four-time Open Championship venue.

For the latest news in the golfing world, follow us on X.