Shane Lowry storms into Irish Open lead with stunning course-record 62

Shane Lowry produced a sensational display in front of his home fans to storm into the lead at the Amgen Irish Open.

The Irishman fired a stunning course-record 8-under 62 on Friday to surge to 11-under par and take control of the tournament heading into the weekend at Trump Doonbeg.

Lowry, who famously won the Irish Open as an amateur in 2009, now leads Denmark's Jacob Skov Olesen and China's Haotong Li by three shots at the halfway stage.

So far this week it's been a remarkable turnaround from Lowry, who arrived at the Irish Open determined to rediscover his best form after a relatively flat spell during the summer.

Lowry missed out on the second leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs last month and he has since slumped from 26th to 53rd in the world this season. 

But the 39-year-old made his intentions clear at the start of the week, and his second-round performance delivered emphatic proof that his game is trending in the right direction.

Lowry's spectacular 62 has put him firmly in the driving seat as he looks to claim a seventh DP World Tour title and his first victory in exactly four years.

"I played great, just kept going," said Lowry. 

"Every time I kept making birdie, I just kept going, wanting to make birdie next. 

"I felt like it was very in control today, so it was good fun out there.

"It's been a while since I've had that much fun on the golf course, so I'll take it."

There is also plenty more at stake for the former Open champion.

With qualification for Luke Donald's 2027 European Ryder Cup team already underway, Lowry is keen to put together a strong finish to the season and strengthen his claims for another appearance at the Ryder Cup.

He was one of Europe's heroes at Bethpage Black last September, memorably holing a crucial eight-foot putt on the 18th to help Europe retain the Ryder Cup.

A victory this week would provide another major boost to his hopes of making Donald's team for Adare Manor in 2027.

Elsewhere, LIV Golf superstar Jon Rahm improved with a second-round 67 to move to 3-under par, but he enters the weekend eight shots behind the leader.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy also has work to do if he is to retain his Irish Open crown.

McIlroy followed his opening-round 69 with another 69 on Friday, leaving him at 2-under par and a huge nine shots behind his good friend Lowry.

The highlight of McIlroy's second round was a stunning eagle-three on the par-5 8th. 

While McIlroy remains well within striking distance of the weekend's action, Lowry is unquestionably the man everyone has to beat.

The home favourite now has 36 holes between himself and what would be a hugely popular Irish Open triumph.

After a summer in which he admitted he wanted more from his golf, Lowry has given himself the perfect opportunity to get back in the winner's circle. 

And with the support of the Irish crowd behind him, the man who won this championship as an amateur 16 years ago suddenly looks like the player everyone else will be chasing on Sunday. 

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