Open day three: Rory McIlroy supporting leader Shane Lowry after missing the cut

Shane Lowry had the full support of Rory McIlroy as he sought to turn the halfway lead into a second Open title at Royal Troon.

While McIlroy made an early exit on 11 over par following rounds of 78 and 75, Lowry mastered the windy conditions to shoot 66 and 69 and forge a two-shot lead over Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose and surprise package Dan Brown.

McIlroy conceded he started thinking about his holiday plans as soon as his faint hopes of making the cut disappeared following a triple-bogey on the fourth, but the world number two will be glued to his television screen to cheer on Lowry over the weekend.

“I can’t wait to watch,” McIlroy, who partnered Lowry to victory in the Zurich Classic in New Orleans in April, said.

After 36 holes at Royal Troon Golf Club, Shane Lowry heads into the weekend with the solo lead and eyes set on winning the Claret Jug for the second time. pic.twitter.com/ncog419Qvd

— Golfweek (@golfweek) July 19, 2024

“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.

“He relishes these conditions. He loves playing these conditions. The Open Championship is his favourite tournament in the world. He gets more up for this than anything else.

“I’m looking forward to cheering him on and hopefully him getting his second Claret Jug.”

Only 10 players were under par after two testing days at Troon, with world number one and Masters champion Scottie Scheffler poised to challenge for a seventh win of the season on two under, five off the lead.

McIlroy was one of a number of star names to miss the cut, the Northern Irishman joining US Open conqueror