Shane Lowry Closes in on Truist Championship Leader

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Shane Lowry shot a 65 on Friday to finish the second round of the Truist Championship at 11 under par, just one stroke behind leader Kevin Mitchell.

The Irish golfer’s impressive performance included six birdies, making it the lowest round of the day despite challenging, soggy conditions at the Philadelphia Cricket Club‘s Wissahickon Course.

Mitchell, who entered the second round leading with a score of 61, encountered some difficulty, recording two bogeys and five birdies for a round of 67. He remains in the top position as the tournament progresses.

“There’s a consistency to my whole game that has been very good,” Lowry said. “I think I’m just maturing as a golfer, taking the rough with the smooth, the good days taking them well and the bad days working through them.”

Despite playing well in the rain, Lowry downplayed the notion that the wet conditions suited his game. “Everyone says that to me every day when it rains!” he remarked. “I live in South Florida. I think I’m able to handle them probably better than a few people, but I don’t particularly like or enjoy going out and playing in these conditions.”

Rory McIlroy, last year’s champion, had a mixed round, finishing with a score of 70. The Northern Irishman had six birdies but also three bogeys, placing him in a six-way tie for fourth at seven under.

<p“I felt like today was another sort of scrappy one,” McIlroy commented. “I made what I feel are some uncharacteristic mistakes compared to how I’ve played the majority of the year.” He aims to improve over the next rounds and minimize bogeys.

Tommy Fleetwood also performed steadily with a second consecutive round of 68, rounding up at four under. Meanwhile, Justin Rose struggled, finishing significantly behind the leaders at seven over after a round of 77.