Shane Lowry still in contention in Abu Dhabi despite mixed round

Shane Lowry Remains in Contention at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

Rory McIlroy posted a second-round 68, trailing leaders Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai by six strokes. Shane Lowry, known for his transparent emotions on the course, displayed a mix of feelings throughout his round—wide smiles after an eagle and frustration following a double bogey.

In a challenging second round, Lowry finished three strokes behind the pace set by Fleetwood and Rai in this penultimate event of the DP World Tour season. His 69 included an eagle, five birdies, a double bogey, and consecutive bogeys at the end, reflecting a fluctuating performance.

Heading into the weekend, Lowry stands tied for sixth at 11-under-par 133. To contend for the title he won in 2019, he must reduce costly mistakes that appeared late in his round.

Rory McIlroy's Pursuit of the Harry Vardon Trophy

McIlroy, aiming for his seventh Harry Vardon Trophy awarded for the Order of Merit leader, recorded a second-round 68, placing him tied for 20th at 136, six strokes back. Tom McKibbin shot a 69 for a total of 144, tying him for 66th place in the no-cut field.

Lowry's Key Moments During the Round

Lowry’s front nine was steady but unremarkable with one birdie and eight pars. He found a spark on the par-5 11th hole when his iron approach, though not perfectly struck, stayed low and straight, settling 12 feet from the hole.

“His eagle putt on the 11th hole was sunk confidently, following up his birdie on the 10th,”

showing the peak moments amid a round of highs and lows.

Summary

Despite inconsistencies, Shane Lowry remains a strong contender in Abu Dhabi, needing to minimize errors to build on his 2019 victory and challenge for the title once again.

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The Irish Times The Irish Times — 2025-11-07

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