Shane Lowry was serenaded by delirious Irish fans after lighting up Portrush with a course record 63 to put himself within touching distance of the Open Championship.
Lowry will take a yawning four-shot lead into tomorrow’s final round after separating himself from the field with an astonishing performance which triggered remarkable scenes.
Cries of ‘Ole, ole, ole’ greeted the 32-year-old as he arrived at the 18th green yesterday and he can expect an even crazier welcome if he finishes the job and delivers an Irish winner to the first Open to be held in Northern Ireland for 68 years.
“It was one of the most incredible days of my life. Every time I had a putt I wanted to hoe it because I wanted to hear that roar. It was great. I’ll go to bed thinking about holding the Claret Jug, I’m only human,” said Lowry.
“There is nowhere I would rather be than taking a four-shot lead into the final round of a an Open in Ireland. It will be great whatever happens.”
England’s Tommy Fleetwood is Lowry’s closest rival going into the final round after a 66 in which bad weather is predicted.
“It’s going to be a huge atmosphere around Shane but I’ll have to concentrate on me,” said Fleetwood.
Justin Rose is also chasing in fourth place seven shots back.
“Whenever some guy's stretched the lead, I've always said: ‘Where's second place?’ because you never know what the leader is going to do. You've always got to look at where the chasing pack is and stay relevant to them,” said Rose.
“If a guy goes ahead and continues to play great and continues to go away you tip your hat and say: ‘well done.’”
Lowry blew a four-shot final round lead when Dustin Johnson won the US Open at Oakmont in 2016 but with the fanatical support of the huge Portrush crowds he is hot favourite to close the deal this time.
“I hope I am going to be able to deal with it better,” he said. “Hopefully I am ready.”
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