TROON, Scotland – Having finished his final TV interview obligation, Shane Lowry sought out his father, Brendan, wearing a Kelly green Srixon ski cap, and gave him a bear hug. The two men smiled wide in delight at a day in which the Irishman shot 2-under 69 at Royal Troon’s Old Course and handled howling winds with aplomb.
“I’m pretty happy with the day,” Lowry said when he met with the media after a finishing birdie at the 2024 British Open. “To be leading this tournament after two days, it’s why you come here, it’s why we’re here.”
Lowry, 37, opened a major with two rounds in the 60s for the fourth time in his 46th career start in a major and second time this year (69-69 at PGA Championship).
World No. 2 Rory McIlroy missed the cut on Friday but he said he’ll be watching and rooting for his pal Lowry this weekend.
“He’s so creative. I think even just watching the coverage the last couple of days, that little sort of squeezy cut that he can hit, especially going out in that front nine, is going to be really helpful to him,” McIlroy said. “Yeah, look, he relishes these conditions. He loves playing these conditions. The Open Championship is his favorite tournament in the world. He gets more up for this than anything else.”
A birdie on the 18th to record a 69 and become the leader in the clubhouse. pic.twitter.com/6BqhWAmpEr
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 19, 2024
Indeed, he does. Lowry, who won the Claret Jug in 2019 in challenging conditions at Portrush, has the added confidence in knowing he can do it.
“You know, it’s quite difficult to stand up there from 190 yards and make yourself hit a 4-iron as low as you can,” he said. “It’s quite difficult to tell yourself that.”
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During his press conference, Lowry was asked if he’s a good front-runner.
“I wouldn’t say I’m a good runner,” he said drawing laughter. “I don’t know. I put myself there in a few big tournaments, and I’ve managed to knock them off. So I’ve done it a few times. I don’t know. It’s hard to win tournaments. We’ll see. I’ll tell you Sunday evening.”
Three of the last four 36-hole leaders/co-leaders at British Open have gone on to win: Brian Harman last year, Cameron Smith in 2022 and wait for it — Lowry in 2019.
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