Shane Lowry could not contain his joy in now being able to now watch TV coverage of the All-Ireland Hurling final after news the PGA Tour is to abandon any play on Sunday, and what was planned as the final day of the Northern Trust Open.
In what has to be a rare first for a Sunday final round, the Tour released a statement fearing Storm Henri that is expected to hit the New Jersey and New York city area, and the reason why the finale of the opening event of the FedEx Cup Series will be held over to Monday.
Lowry had been all smiles in posting a brilliant third round nine-under par 62 in a round that included a sixth hole eagle where he holed a six-footer at the first par-5 on the Liberty National course.
The former Open Champion also grabbed seven birdies, including finishing his round birdie, birdie. There was just one bogey and that was on the par-3 14th. “I’m really pleased with my score and just how I played”, he said. “I said to my manager, Brian (Moran) yesterday that I had missed a short putt on the 12th hole that would have got me to five-under for my round and I feel like that is the way my golf is going, as I then made a bogey at an easy par-5 that kind of killed my momentum.
“Today, I just kept it going as I have been playing good golf for a while and to kind of finish a round off in how I did today was really nice, and especially after a really bad bogey when I laid the sod over on 14 where I came-up 10-yards short of the green.
“It was a nice round of golf and I am chuffed because I have a lot to play for this week. I need to make it to next week and I want to make it through to Atlanta and I need to make some more Ryder Cup points.
“So, there is an awful lot to play for this week and I am very happy with that”.
Lowry’s round of 62 was his lowest ever on the PGA Tour since his opening Tour counting events in 2009 and also one fewer than his 63 on day two of last year’s Wyndham Championship. His Northern Trust effort handed Lowry the then lead in the Euro 8.1m at 13-under par before Aussie Cam Smith, still sporting his wild-looking ‘Mullet’ hair style, posted a 10-under par 60 to hit the front on 16-under par having gone within inches of joining fellow Aussie Stuart Appleby in shooting a ‘59’.
However, with news Sunday’s final round has been put back a day to Monday due to fears over ‘Storm Henri’ Lowry expressed his delight that it will allow him to watch TV coverage of the All Ireland Hurling final between Limerick and Cork from Croke Park.
“We have a day off tomorrow which works out well for me because the All Ireland Hurling final is on and we will be able to watch that on TV”, Lowry said with a big smile on his face.
“I have got some good friends here. My manager Brian is with me. I have some good friends in the city so I am sure we will watch the game and go and have lunch.
“If you are going to have a day off, there are worse cities to be stuck in than New York. I don’t want anyone feeling sorry for me or us. We have it good.
“Monday is going to be a bit windy and rainy so who knows what will happen”.
Seamus Power dropped down the board on the back of a third round one-under par 70 to move to six-under and in being projected to drop to No. 73 on the FedEx Cup standings, he needs a low final round on Monday to be assured of teeing-up among the top-70 at the BMW Championship.
Power’s third round was a mix of four birdies and three bogeys.
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