Overview
- Shane Lowry shot a course-record 8-under 62 on Friday to move to 11-under and hold a three-shot lead over the nearest challengers.
- Lowry’s round featured nine birdies and a six-under 30 on the front nine that carried him into a dominant position after calmer scoring conditions.
- Defending champion Rory McIlroy posted a second straight 69 and sits at two-under, hampered by persistent problems reading and holing putts that leave him about nine shots off the pace.
- Thursday’s opening round was disrupted by gale-force winds that produced lengthy delays and even blew a player’s ball off a green, and tournament logistics could be further affected by a planned presidential visit this weekend.
- With two rounds to play the leaderboard has swung from Joaquin Niemann’s early advantage to Lowry’s control, making Saturday’s play decisive for challengers who must improve putting and ball-striking to close the gap.