Lowry leads Open with four shots after overwhelming costs

Without a Northern Irishman in the race, the Royal Portrush people took Ireland's Lowry to heart and how it inspired him.

They roared and sang and clapped and waved as he walked to 18th green Saturday after leaving the field behind on day three of the 148th Open.

It had been a true masterpiece, as the 32-year-old from County Offaly shot an astonishing 63 to go down to 16 and took a lead of four shots to the last day of Sunday.

World No.33 plays in the latter group alongside English Ryder Cup hero Tommy Fleetwood, who shot 66, with American JB Holmes two further back at 10 under.

Both Lowry and Fleetwood have become second in a US Open, but neither of them has won a major. Neither Holmes.

The bearded Lowry missed the cut during his last four Open Championships, but he used a special source this week.

He grinned and shook his head as it roared, underlining the quieter Portrush sky as he moved clearly as the platoon moved behind him.

The Open has not been to these parts in 68 years and the local fans were determined to get the most out of the opportunity.

Lowry was blessed with the European Ryder Cup song "ole, ole, ole" when he walked into the 18th, and the festive songs, with his name added to the text, blew over the track long after he was leave the arena.

His previous best finish in a big wash was at the 2016 US Open in Oakmont, when he led through four after three rounds but collapsed on the final day with a 76 to finish behind Dustin Johnson.

He was asked about that Friday night, and said he is now in a completely different place.