Lowry ties Holmes for lead

PORTRUSH, United Kingdom (AFP) – Ireland’s Shane Lowry shot a four-under par 67 to claim a share of the lead with J.B. Holmes at the British Open as 15-time major winner Tiger Woods and pre-tournament favorite Rory McIlroy missed the cut on Friday.

Resuming on four-under, Lowry birdied four of the opening five holes and picked up another two shots on eight and 10.

However, he bogeyed the 14th and 18th coming home to fall back level with overnight leader Holmes on eight-under.

Holmes consolidated his challenge with a three-under round on Friday.

“You can have that great round and that day where everything goes right, but it’s nice to get two rounds in a row. It shows a little consistency,: said the American.

McIlroy fell just short with a brave attempt to make the weekend after a horrendous eight-over round on Thursday left him with a huge mountain to climb.

The home favorite posted the joint best round of the day with a six-under 65 to get back to two-over, but missed out by just one shot with the cut at one-over.

Woods was also made to pay for his 78 on Thursday as a one-under par round left the Masters champion still on six-over.

“It’s more frustrating than anything else because this is a major championship and I love playing in these events,: said Woods.

The American raised hopes that he could recover from a difficult opening round with his troublesome back restricting his movement in cold conditions.

Woods was two under for the day after six holes, but a bogey at the seventh stalled his fightback.

Back-to-back birdies at 10 and 11 gave Woods hope again but a bogey-bogey finish was a fitting end to a frustrating two days for the 43-year-old.