{"id":623535,"date":"2026-09-13T15:54:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-13T15:54:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/623535\/"},"modified":"2026-09-13T15:54:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T15:54:11","slug":"live-irish-open-updates-shane-lowry-extends-his-lead-over-front-nine-at-doonbeg-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/623535\/","title":{"rendered":"Live Irish Open updates: Shane Lowry extends his lead over front nine at Doonbeg \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

LeadersShane Lowry \u2013 1st, 20-underPatrick Reed \u2013 2nd, 12-underRasmus Neergaard-Petersen \u2013 3rd, 11-underIrish in actionShane Lowry \u2013 four-under for Sunday (thru 12), 20-under overallTom McKibbin \u2013 one-under for Sunday (thru 13), eight-under overallLiam Nolan \u2013 one-under for Sunday (finished), three-under overallRory McIlroy \u2013 three-under for Sunday (finished), one-under overall<\/p>\n

Tom McKibbin manages a solid drive from the 14th tee to land just over eight feet off the pin.<\/p>\n

On the 15th, Patrick Reed\u2019s birdie putt goes inches shy. He\u2019s on six-under for the day, eight shots adrift of Lowry overall.<\/p>\n

The birdie putt alludes Lowry again, and he\u2019s looking a bit miffed by it, but he remains eight shots ahead of Patrick Reed in second.<\/p>\n

And Olesen continues his birdie-less run. He overshoots the pin and has to settle for par.<\/p>\n

Lowry finds himself in the middle of the 12th fairway. No hassle for him to find the green, giving himself another good shot at a birdie.<\/p>\n

His playing partner Olesen, now in tied-fourth, also has a chance to pick up a shot which would give him a share of second.<\/p>\n

Lowry fails to make the birdie putt on the 11th, tapping in for par. It\u2019s a frustrating, but not fatal, one for the leader.<\/p>\n

The last singles match has wrapped up at the Solheim Cup so Europe can now truly get their celebrations started. Rose Zhang took the last point on offer, beating Celine Boutier, but it went Europe\u2019s way overall, 15-13.<\/p>\n

My god, Lowry is on fire. From the 11th tee box he puts it right on the green. He\u2019s four feet off the pin on the par-three.<\/p>\n

In second, Patrick Reed was unlucky not to make the birdie on the 13th, his putt pulling slightly left to leave him on six-under for Sunday, 12-under overall.<\/p>\n

And there\u2019s the birdie, Lowry\u2019s fifth of the day.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s back to eight shots clear on 20-under after 64 holes.<\/p>\n

The AWS stats put Lowry\u2019s probability of winning at 83.9 per cent.<\/p>\n

With that, his eagle putt attempt leaves him three feet off the hole. Another birdie is looking on.<\/p>\n

Lowry\u2019s put himself into a nice spot to go for another birdie on the 10th. He managed it yesterday.<\/p>\n

His second shot off the fairway lands 11 yards from the pin.<\/p>\n

Over in the Netherlands, Leona Maguire took a 2&1 defeat against Lauren Coughlin. Not to matter, Europe had already claimed the Solheim Cup at that stage, and the Cavan woman played her part across the weekend.<\/p>\n

Just one match remains in play, USA\u2019s Rose Zhang currently 1UP against Celine Boutier thru 16. It\u2019s 15-12 to Europe.<\/p>\n

And here\u2019s Lowry\u2019s putt for a birdie on the eighth:<\/p>\n

Lowry drops his first shot of the day, his putt for par just short on the ninth.<\/p>\n

Gavin Cooney has an update for us from Doonbeg:<\/p>\n

Shane Lowry is dealing with several different pressures today: his own recent struggles to convert from winning positions; the bedlam of the crowds breaking rope lines to follow his every shot, and the absurdity of the Trump factor, with Eric Trump and a group of secret service agents walking the fairways behind him. That he has increased his lead to seven shots across his first nine holes is extraordinary.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s Lowry\u2019s birdie putt on the seventh:<\/p>\n

That\u2019s 20-under for Lowry! He sinks his birdie putt on the eighth to extend his lead.<\/p>\n

Patrick Reed is up to a solo second, now on 12-under after three straight birdies from the eighth to 10th.<\/p>\n

Liam Nolan has just finished up his final round. The Galwayman signs for a one-under 69 for three-under across the four days.<\/p>\n

Huge battle going on behind Lowry. Italy\u2019s Gregorio de Leo is up in a share of fourth now, seven birdies adding him to the mix.<\/p>\n

On the eighth, Lowry\u2019s second shot landed on a sprinkler head, so he\u2019ll get to drop his ball within a club-length of it\u2019s original landing point. He\u2019s just over 50 yards to the pin and pitches it beautifully to within four feet of the hole.<\/p>\n

Europe have won the Solheim Cup! Lottie Woad\u2019s win over Auston Kim brings them past the magic 13\u00bd number.<\/p>\n

Leona Maguire is still in play, Lauren Coughlin 2UP thru 16 in their singles match.<\/p>\n

With four pairs still on the course, it\u2019s 14-10 to Team Europe.<\/p>\n

WHAT A PUTT FROM LOWRY! Another birdie up and down the slope from the edge of the seventh green.<\/p>\n

It takes him to 19-under overall, three-under for Sunday, eight shots clear of Reed and Olesen.<\/p>\n

Doonbeg, you\u2019re looking well. Huge support out for Lowry.<\/p>\n

Reed is charging. He\u2019s up to tied-2nd alongside Olesen after a birdie on the par-two ninth.<\/p>\n

Lowry pars the sixth. Off the seventh tee, his drive takes a bounce off the edge of the bunker but luck is on his side and it pops up to the edge of the green.<\/p>\n

Patrick Reed has joined the third-place party, he\u2019s made his way to 10-under with a birdie on the eighth.<\/p>\n

After a disappointing few days, Rory McIlroy didn\u2019t hang around to see how his pal gets on.<\/p>\n

He had a quick chat with RT\u00c9 after his final round earlier:<\/p>\n

Lowry goes over the top of the green on the sixth, but takes a kindly roll back down the slope to come to a stop just off the green, eight yards to the pin.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Tom McKibbin has slipped back to a share of 13th, level-par for the day thru seven holes having made up his bogey on the first with a birdie on the fifth.<\/p>\n

Joaquin Niemann has been joined in third by Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen after the Dane managed to eagle the par-five 10th, adding to his four birdies from the front nine.<\/p>\n

Birdie for Lowry on the fifth! He now has a seven-shot lead.<\/p>\n

The Offalyman is having another stellar day with the putter.<\/p>\n

Back in Doonbeg, it\u2019s another terrific shot for Shane Lowry. He gets to within 10 feet of the pin, giving himself another chance at a birdie.<\/p>\n

Olesen is not so fortunate. At almost triple the distance on the green, he\u2019ll likely have to settle for par.<\/p>\n

Leona Maguire remains three holes down against Lauren Coughlin in the Solheim Cup singles matches. They\u2019re now thru 13.<\/p>\n

Europe have gone ahead overall, leading USA 12-10 with six games still in play.<\/p>\n

Lowry scrapes the edge but no joy for the birdie. He makes par, remaining on 17-under.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s loving these Doonbeg dunes. Off the fifth tee, his shot takes a bounce off the hill and kicks back in to the fairway.<\/p>\n

While Lowry powers on, Olesen is struggling. The Dane overshoots to the green on the fourth, leaving him with 21 feet to the pin.<\/p>\n

Lowry chips tidily to leave him with a seven-foot putt for the birdie.<\/p>\n

Tom McKibbin finds a beautiful shot from the fairway on the fifth, so close to taking an eagle. But he\u2019ll have a handy putt for the birdie to bring him back to level par.<\/p>\n

Lowry\u2019s first attempt on the third green is short, but he sinks the second attempt for par.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s stays six shots ahead of his playing partner Olesen.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re also keeping an eye on the Solheim Cup<\/a>, where Leona Maguire is in action in the singles matches.<\/p>\n

USA\u2019s Lauren Coughlin is currently 4UP against the Cavan woman thru 12 in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n

The teams are tied on 10 points apiece with eight matches still in play.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s Lowry\u2019s putt on the first:<\/p>\n

On the third, Tom McKibbin has missed a putt for birdie, so he stays on one-under. Having started the day in a share of third, he\u2019s now back in tied-ninth.<\/p>\n

On the second, Lowry\u2019s tempted to putt from quite a way out but it pulls just right of the hole. Easy tap-in for par.<\/p>\n

Olesen doesn\u2019t manage his putt from about 13 feet out, also tapping it in for par.<\/p>\n

Lowry birdies the first! Huge putt from 16 feet to go 17-under. That\u2019s the start he would have dreamed of.<\/p>\n

Olesen makes his putt for par, sticking on 12-under.<\/p>\n

Lowry finds the green comfortably with his second shot. Good start from the leader.<\/p>\n

Plenty of Offaly jerseys dotted around the course, Lowry\u2019s Army out in full force.<\/p>\n

Gavin Cooney has this for us from Doonbeg, Donald Trump making his way to the first tee box to greet Lowry.<\/p>\n

\"IrishIrish Open 2026 Donald Trump <\/p>\n

Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin also in attendance.<\/p>\n

\"IrishIrish Open 2026 Mich\u00e9al Martin <\/p>\n

Lowry is welcomed to the first tee by Trump and a rousing cheer from the Doonbeg crowd.<\/p>\n

Olsesen is up first to get their round started.<\/p>\n

Lowry stands over his opening drive and sends it low, finding the fairway. Big smile to start from the Offalyman.<\/p>\n

Shane Lowry is getting ready to start his round. US president Donald Trump is making his way down to the first tee box.<\/p>\n

Galwayman Liam Nolan has picked up a shot on the eighth to move up to a share of 37th, now level par thru nine holes.<\/p>\n

Tom McKibbin<\/a> is just about to get his final round under way. He\u2019s among Lowry\u2019s challengers, currently tied-fourth on seven-under across the three rounds.<\/p>\n

Rory McIlroy<\/a> has already finished his round, having set out at 9.20am. Last year\u2019s champion finished with a three-under round of 67 for one-under after the four rounds. He\u2019s joined on one-under by Liam Nolan, who\u2019s currently one-over thru seven holes.<\/p>\n

Lowry extended his overnight lead from Friday in Saturday\u2019s third round with a five-under 65, following up on his 62 from the second round.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a strange day, when the whirring blades of Marine One and its escort of Chinook helicopters brought a notable visitor to the Irish Open, the show simply went on for Shane Lowry,\u201d Philip Reid writes in his day three report from Doonbeg.<\/p>\n

\u201cDemonstrating his own brand of steel, he retained his lead heading into the final round of the \u20ac5-million DP World Tour tournament, four-shots clear of his nearest challenger.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read Philip\u2019s report in full below:<\/p>\n

[\u00a0Shane Lowry shows his steel to extend Irish Open leadOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

Hello everyone, and welcome along to The Irish Times live blog for the final round of the 2026 Irish Open<\/a> at Trump International Golf Links.<\/p>\n

Shane Lowry<\/a> leads by four shots heading into his final round, sitting on 16-under. Denmark\u2019s Jacob Skov Olesen on 12-under is the main threat to a home win, with Chile\u2019s Joaquin Niemann a further three shots back on nine-under.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll be following all the action throughout the afternoon, with Philip Reid and Gavin Cooney keeping us updated on all the goings on from Doonbeg.<\/p>\n

Lowry, who has Olesen for company today, is due to tee off at 2.05pm.<\/p>\n

\"ShaneShane Lowry celebrates after finishing his third round on Saturday. Photograph: Ben Brady\/Inpho <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"LeadersShane Lowry \u2013 1st, 20-underPatrick Reed \u2013 2nd, 12-underRasmus Neergaard-Petersen \u2013 3rd, 11-underIrish in actionShane Lowry \u2013 four-under…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":623536,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[61,60,1393,1394,1395,112,3475],"class_list":["post-623535","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-irish-open","tag-rory-mcilroy","tag-shane-lowry","tag-sports","tag-tom-mckibbin"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/623535","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=623535"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/623535\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/623536"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=623535"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=623535"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=623535"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}