Lowry warming engines for Erin Hills
Shane Lowry
Shane Lowry put on another impressive display of ball-striking as he scorched home in 32 and posted a 70 to remain on track for his first Top 10 of the PGA Tour season.
In a display that will be encouraging for the Offaly man with just over a week to go to the US Open, he's now tied for 11th on six-under par in the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village.
Overnight leader Jason Dufner followed his brace of 65s with a 77 to fall back to tied third on nine-under with Bubba Watson and Justin Thomas , four shots behind new leader Daniel Summerhays, who shot 68 to lead by three from Matt Kuchar on 13-under par.
Lowry is just seven shots behind Summerhays, but he will be pleased that not only is he ranked tied third for strokes gained from the tee, but he's also 22nd for putting after a six-birdie round.
The day certainly didn't start well for the Clara man, who missed the first four greens in regulation and dropped shots at the first, second and fourth.
He hit back with birdies at the par-five fifth (two putts from 54 ft) and the sixth, where he hit a wedge to 15 feet and rolled in the putt.
A frustrating bogey six at the seventh, where he laid up 72 yards from the pin and promptly came up short in a bunker, saw him turn in two over.
But he raced home in four-under 32 with birdies at the 10th, 11th, 15th and 17th in a performance that will be encouraging as he prepares for the US Open at Erin Hills on Thursday week.
Padraig Harrington eagled the 15th from 34 feet to card a level par 72 and move up two places to tied 24th on two-under par.
The Dubliner, 45, hit just eight greens in regulation but scrambled well and knocked in two birdies against four bogeys before that late eagle balanced the books.
