Shane Lowry sinks huge putt to extend lead at The Open

Shane Lowry has followed up an opening round score of 67 to birdie six of his first 11 holes as he moves to the top of the Open leaderboard.

Lowry started the day at -4 under par but moved to -10 under par with a huge putt on the par 4 10th hole to move two shots clear of J.B. Holmes in second place. https://twitter.com/SkySportsGolf/status/1152224741161349126 Lowry wrote in his Paddy Power column earlier this week that it was important for him to get off to a god start but he added that he needs to man up if he's in contention for the weekend.

"I definitely feel I have the ability to win, but in a Major, especially on a tough course with the best players in the world, you need everything to go your way to claim victory," Lowry wrote. "I need to  play well and get a few breaks along the way. Then when it comes down to it, I need to man up and get over the line on Sunday. "That’s the way it works. I could go up there and play great and somebody just plays better than me and beats me. That’s just the way golf is. But if I go up and give it my best shot, get a couple of breaks and have a chance going into the back nine on Sunday, then I’ll just have to man up."

Meanwhile home favourite Rory McIlroy had a shocker of an opening round and ended up eight shots over par but has got off to a good start in his second round with one birdie through his first three holes.