Lowry fires 62 to lead Irish Open by 3 shots after Round 2
Synopsis
Shane Lowry rolled back the years with an 8-under 62 at Doonbeg — matching the exact opening two-round scores from his famous 2009 amateur Irish Open win. Three clear at the halfway mark and with a lean 2026 behind him, Lowry looks primed for a sentimental homecoming victory at his national Open.
Key Takeaways
Shane Lowry shot 8-under 62 in Round 2 to lead the Amgen Irish Open at 11-under par .
He holds a three-stroke lead over Haotong Li , Jacob Skov Olesen , and Niklas Nørgaard , all at 8-under .
Rory McIlroy is T-20 (even par total of 69-69); Jon Rahm is T-14 (70-67).
Lowry's 67-62 opening mirrors his historic 2009 Irish Open victory scores as an amateur.
No Indian golfer is competing in this week's field.
Shane Lowry stormed to the top of the leaderboard at the Amgen Irish Open with a stunning 8-under 62 in the second round at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, Ireland, on 12 September 2026. The Irishman's two-round total of 11-under par (67-62) gives him a comfortable three-stroke cushion heading into the weekend at his national Open.
How Lowry Built His Lead
Lowry caught fire early in his second round, carding birdies on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th holes to set the tone. He added three more birdies on the 7th, 8th, and 9th to reach 6-under through the front nine. The back nine was nearly as productive — he picked up shots on the 11th and 12th before a lone bogey on the 13th briefly interrupted the charge. A ninth birdie on the 15th sealed a round of 62, the lowest of the day.
Chasing Pack at 8-Under
Three players sit tied for second at 8-under par. China's Haotong Li posted a sparkling 7-under 63 in round two, featuring seven birdies, an eagle, and two bogeys. The Danish duo of Jacob Skov Olesen (68-64) and Niklas Nørgaard (68-64) also occupy a share of second. Nørgaard's round was notably bogey-free, built on six birdies across the par-70 layout.
Among the marquee names further back, Rory McIlroy sits at T-20 after rounds of 69-69, while former world number one Jon Rahm is T-14 following a 70-67 start. No Indian golfer is in the field this week.
Echoes of 2009: A Sentimental Storyline
Lowry's current form carries a poignant symmetry. He first burst onto the global stage at the 2009 Irish Open, where he triumphed as an amateur in a playoff against England's Robert Rock after both finished at 17-under par. Remarkably, Lowry's opening two-round scores that year were also 67 and 62 — albeit on a par-72 course rather than the current par-70 venue. He has competed in every edition of the Irish Open since that breakthrough victory.
A Timely Resurgence
2026 has been a lean year for Lowry until now. His best result came at the Dubai Invitational in January, where he finished T-3, followed by a T-8 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Strong finishes have eluded him since. This performance at Doonbeg could mark a turning point, particularly with the DP World India Championship on the horizon — an event where Lowry is set to feature alongside McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and other leading names on the DP World Tour.
The third round will determine whether Lowry can maintain his grip on the tournament or whether Li and the Danish pair can close the gap on moving day.
Point of View
And finding it at the Irish Open feels almost scripted. The 67-62 echo of 2009 is a compelling storyline, but more importantly, this is a player who thrives on emotional momentum — his 2019 Open Championship win at Portrush followed a similar pattern of peaking when the setting matters most. If he converts this weekend, it will sharpen his credentials heading to India for the DP World Championship and shift conversations about a player many had written off in 2026.
NationPress
13 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shane Lowry's score at the 2026 Irish Open after Round 2?
Shane Lowry is 11-under par after two rounds (67-62), leading the Amgen Irish Open by three strokes at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, Ireland.
Who is in second place at the Irish Open 2026?
Three players share second at 8-under par: China's Haotong Li (69-63) and Denmark's Jacob Skov Olesen (68-64) and Niklas Nørgaard (68-64).
Where is Rory McIlroy on the Irish Open leaderboard?
Rory McIlroy is T-20 after rounds of 69-69 at the Amgen Irish Open. Jon Rahm is further up at T-14 following a 70-67 start.
Why is Lowry's 67-62 start significant?
Lowry posted identical opening scores of 67 and 62 when he won the 2009 Irish Open as an amateur — his breakthrough victory. The parallel adds a sentimental dimension to his 2026 challenge, although the 2009 event was played on a par-72 course versus the current par-70 layout.
Are any Indian golfers playing in the 2026 Irish Open?
No Indian golfer is in the field at the 2026 Amgen Irish Open. However, several top players including Lowry and McIlroy are set to compete at the upcoming DP World India Championship.
