Lowry suffers blow in FedEx Cup survival bid

Shane Lowry has a mountain to climb to qualify for the second FedEx Cup playoff event after a second round of 72 in Memphis.

Lowry entered the FedEx St Jude Championship ranked 62 out of 70 players in the standings and needed a top-10 to break into the top-50 who qualify for next week’s BMW Championship at Bellerive.

The Offaly man had a stumbling finish to his second round. He took a double bogey on the par-3 14th after he hit his tee shot in the water and he compounded that error with a bogey at the next. Although he birdied the par-5 16th he gave the shot back on 17 to lave himself in a share of 45th on one-over, twelve shots behind Scottie Scheffler.

Lowry, who fell outside of the world’s top-50,  needs a big weekend if he is to keep himself exempt for every Signature Event on the PGA Tour next year.

He could earn the sponsor exemptions he needs to get into key events next year but at the very least he will be trying to ensure he is a top-tier player for the Championship Series structure for the PGA Tour in 2028.

Rory McIlroy is also well off the pace after another poor finish saw him bogey 17 and 18 in a 70 that left him on four-over and in a tie for 62nd place.

At the top, Scheffler’s blistering course record equalling 61 where he opened with five straight birdies has him at the top on eleven-under, three shots clear of Sungjae Im who impressed with a 66.

“It’s like you always want to try to get off to a good start,” Scheffler said after his round. “I was able to do that today. Really just a dream start. Probably one of the best starts I’ve had on TOUR, to be honest with you. I couldn’t tell you a time where I’ve been lower early in the round.”