Shane Lowry is a man possessed.
Entering today's third round of the Open Championship with a share of the lead, another good day in Portrush would give him a huge chance of claiming his first major title.
As has been the case for the whole tournament, Lowry flew out of the traps on the front nine. He would birdie the second, fifth and ninth to leave himself on -11 at the turn, and in a tie for the lead.
The 32-year old found himself in the deep rough after a wayward drive on the 10th. It left him with an incredibly difficult second shot, and there was a chance he could give up the shot he had gained on the previous hole.
Lowry was deep in conversation with his caddy Bo Martin about how to play his approach, and there seemed to be a bit of a disagreement.
Martin wanted the golfer to play the shot into the ridge on the left side of the green, which would hopefully allow the ball to roll back towards the hole. The Offaly man seemed unsure, with the rough taking away the possibility of putting any spin on the ball, which meant it could bounce beyond the green.
Ultimately, he went with the advice of his man on the bag. It paid off.
GOLF SHOT from Shane Lowry. #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/PJMcHtqQGc
— By The Flagstick (@ByTheFlagstick) July 20, 2019
What a SHOT from co-leader Shane Lowry from a difficult lie on the 10th hole.
That’s how you start the Back 9 at Portrush. #TheOpen #TheOpenChampionship pic.twitter.com/jYTpD3OQqT— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) July 20, 2019
Lowry would sink the resulting putt to gain sole possession of the lead on -12, and he had his caddy to thank for it.
Always listen to your caddy folks.
Lowry with the best birdie from anyone this week for me just there on the 10th. The exchange with the caddy, terrible lie, the way he used the contours, and then to make the putt. Simply brilliant! #TheOpen
— Seb Carmichael-Brown (@sebcbrown4) July 20, 2019
That interaction between Lowry & his caddy was brilliant. Superb caddying.
— Barry Mowat (@mowatb) July 20, 2019
Unbelievable from Lowry’s caddy on the 10th. If he wins this he’ll look back at that shot as a big one! Up Offaly! #TheOpen
— Luke Colleran (@LukeColleran) July 20, 2019
