After two stunning rounds in Portrush, Shane Lowry will enter the weekend of the Open Championship in a tie for the lead. It is the start the Offaly man would have been dreaming of, and he has given himself a hell of a chance to claim his first major title.
Lowry played some incredible golf over the past couple of days, especially in the first half of today's 67. In all he would register five birdies in the first 10 holes, including a monster putt on the 10th.
While that would be his last birdie of the day, and he would have bogies on the 14th and 18th, the 32-year old has to be pleased with his game thus far.
Speaking to Sky Sports after today's round, he said this tournament has been somewhat of a surreal experience.
I had a great time today. God, it was just unbelievable.
It was one of those days where I found myself pinching myself out there. I can't explain how good the crowds were, and it was a day that I'll remember...
From the first hole today, walking on to every hole and every tee-box, then walking down the 18th was something special. Obviously I'm disappointed that I bogeyed it, but I'm right where I want to be and I'm very happy with my two days work.
Lowry was joined in the clubhouse on -8 by American J.B. Holmes, another player seeking his first major championship.
While there is still plenty of golf to be played, the Irishman is happy where his game is at at the moment.
I'm playing well and I feel my game is where I want it to be. I'm in a great position going into the weekend of an Open Championship.
There's two long days of golf left, it's not going to be easy over the next two days. There's going to be time when I'm going to be under pressure, I'm going to be feeling it and there's times where I'm going to be out of position. I just have to take it on the chin.
I've done a great job this year of playing one round at a time, trying to shoot the best score I can every day. I shot two 67s in the first two rounds, I'm going to stand on that first tee tomorrow and give it 100% tomorrow afternoon.
Hopefully it ends up in a good score, but if it doesn't I'll go out the next day and do the same.
You get the feeling that if Lowry could handpick one major to win, this year's Open would be his choice. The chance to win a major championship on home soil is a once in a lifetime opportunity for an Irish golfer, and would be the stuff of legends should he pull it off.
As we enter the weekend's action, he will have the expectations of a nation upon his shoulders. He's going to enjoy every second of it.
I think I just have to go out there and soak it all up. Next week I'll be in Memphis and it'll probably be 10 men and a dog following me!
I'm going to be out there tomorrow and there's going to be thousands of Irish people roaring me on, it's going to be amazing. I'm very excited about it.
I'm going to enjoy today, I'm going to enjoy the position I'm in. I'm going to have a nice evening, and morning tomorrow, and I'm going to go out there and shoot a good score tomorrow afternoon.
We're all behind him.
