<p>Shane Lowry. Picture: Jeff Haynes/USGA</p>
SHANE Lowry battled his Masters fatigue and chiselled out a one-over 72 in tough conditions to keep the leaders in his sights in the RBC Heritage in blustery Hilton Head.
The Clara man found just six fairways and hit only nine greens in regulation at tight and tricky Harbour Town Golf Links.
But made two birdies and two bogeys to turn in level par, then bounced back from bogeys at the 11th and 14th by rolling in a 12 footer for birdie at the 15th before closing with three sold two-putt pars.
It was hard work for Lowry, who left himself putts of 30 feet, 50 feet and 54 feet on the last three greens before making putts of four feet, six feet and seven feet for pars
He finished the day tied for 14th, five shots behind FedEx Cup holder Patrick Cantlay, who birdied his last four holes for a 67 and a two-shot lead over Robert Streb on nine-under.
It was also a tough day for Graeme McDowell but while the 2013 champion bogeyed four of his last six holes, a five-over 76 left him on the projected cut mark on level par.
“Yeah, obviously that's a dream finish,” Cantlay said. “I finally rolled in some putts, and that was really nice to see going into the weekend.
“It was a tough day out there, and I figured any round under par or around even par would be a win for today. So finishing how I did puts me in a great spot for the weekend.”
Article Link: Lowry hangs tough at blustery Hilton Head; five behind Cantlay - News - Irish Golf Desk