Shane Lowry calls out Rory McIlroy for tense showdown on home turf

Shane Lowry has expressed his desire to go "toe to toe" with Rory McIlroy for the Amgen Irish Open crown on Sunday. Despite being frustrated by a "smelly" bogey at the end of his second round at Royal County Down today, he still managed to card a 69, putting him one under par for the tournament.

This leaves him four behind Friday afternoon's joint leaders, English pair Laurie Canter and Todd Clements, and three behind McIlroy, who is part of a group on four-under par after a second round 70.

Lowry commented on the challenging conditions, saying: "It's going to be windy tomorrow, we might get a bit of rain apparently."

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He added that it wouldn't take a particularly good score to give oneself a chance going into Sunday, and that he was ready to give it his best. He also mentioned his curiosity about what the winning score would be, doubting it would be too far under par.

Lowry expressed confidence in his ability to compete, saying: "I know I can go and give it a run. I think it's what the tournament wants and needs. Obviously myself and Rory are up there. It would be great if the two of us could give it a run on Sunday."

He added that it would be nice to go toe-to-toe on Sunday, but acknowledged that it was up to him to get himself there, expressing certainty that McIlroy would make it.

McIlroy, for his part, expressed his enjoyment of playing in front of his home fans this week and his desire to be part of the conversation. He said: "Yeah, it's important to have home interest," and mentioned playing a few national Opens, as well as Bob MacIntyre's win at the Scottish Open this year.

"It's a big deal for the home guys to play well in their national Open and obviously this is no different and to have a few of us up there around the lead, it only enhances the tournament even more."

In other news, young Irish talent Sean Keely has made an impressive Irish Open debut, securing his place for the weekend with a solid 72, leaving him at a one-over par total at the halfway mark.

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