Amateur Lowry on top in Ireland

Golf Betting Lines

05/15/2009 - Beltray, Ireland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Irish amateur Shane Lowry fired a 10-under 62 on Friday to vault atop the leaderboard after the second round of his national championship, the Irish Open.

Lowry, the 16th-ranked amateur in the world, finished 36 holes at 15-under 129 and that matched the tournament record. Patrik Sjoland set the original mark in 2000 and he went on to victory.

Lowry wouldn't be the first amateur to visit the winner's circle this season on the European Tour if he holds on Sunday. Danny Lee captured the Johnnie Walker Classic, but no matter what, it was a big two rounds for the 22-year- old Lowry.

"I'll never forget this day as long as I live," said Lowry.

The groups in the early wave were once again met with difficult conditions. Rain and cold temperatures didn't exactly hinder scoring, but when the rain subsided, players went very low.

Lowry's 62 wasn't even the best round of the day on Friday. Graeme McDowell set a new tournament and course record with an 11-under 61 that only got him into a tie for 36th at minus-six after a poor 77 on Thursday.

"Yeah, 61, low score of my career," said McDowell. "I think I shot 61 one other time in practice. You know, 77 wasn't really what I was looking for. I was extremely disappointed, obviously to come here in front of my home fans and disappoint the way I did. But I took a lot of positives away at the same time because I knew I had not played that badly."

Robert Rock and Jamie Donaldson both shot rounds of seven-under 65 and are tied for second place at 13-under 131 at County Louth Golf Club.

Paul Lawrie, the 1999 British Open champion, posted a six-under 66 and that was aided by an ace at the par-three 17th. He won an Audi for his effort and got into fourth place at minus-12.

"It was 196 yards, a little downhill, a little downwind off the left, and hit a beautiful shot," said Lawrie. "As soon as I hit it, it was straight down the pin. You've obviously always got to get a little lucky for it to go in, but it was a nice shot."

Lowry's day was filled with nice shots.

He flew out of the gate on Friday with three birdies in his first four holes. Lowry eagled the par-five sixth to reach 10-under par for the championship and get within striking distance of the lead.

At the par-four ninth, Lowry sank a seven-foot birdie putt to join a group in first place. He tapped in a short birdie putt at the 10th that kept him tied for the lead after Lawrie's ace.

Lowry couldn't save par from a bunker at 11, but he got back to 12-under thanks to a 12-footer for birdie at the 12th. That kept him tied atop the leaderboard, but his play late gave him a cushion.

He birdied the 14th and 15th holes to find himself two clear. Rock and Donaldson got to 13-under par, but a birdie from Lowry at the last gave him the 36-hole record and a two-shot lead.

"It's like a dream, really, the way I putted," said Lowry. "It's an unbelievable feeling to be leading by two shots over a field like this. I didn't expect it coming into the tournament, but I expected to do well."

Lowry stated that his tentative plan is to play for the Great Britain & Ireland team at this year's Walker Cup, then turn professional. He wants to go to European Tour Q School in the fall.

Nick Dougherty (67), Roope Kakko (67) and Thomas Levet (66) are knotted in fifth place at minus-11.

Johan Edfors (70), Soren Kjeldsen (67), Lee Westwood (66) and Oliver Wilson (68) share eighth place at 10-under 134.

The 36-hole cut fell at four-under 140 and local hero and two-time major champion in 2008 Padraig Harrington, last year's winner Richard Finch and John Daly all missed the weekend.

One player who also has the weekend off is first-round leader Francesco Molinari. After he shot a one-over 73, Molinari signed an incorrect scorecard and was disqualified.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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