Lowry played immaculate golf as players of the calibre of Lee Westwood, Paul Lawrie and Paul McGinley all shot 77, Rory McIlroy a 76 and Welshman Jamie Donaldson, joint second at halfway, a 78.

BBC: Lowry stays top in Irish Open

There was, however, disappointment for a host of big names, including Nick Dougherty, Scott Drummond, Paul Lawrie, Paul McGinley, Colin Montgomerie, Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood, as they all missed the weekend cut at even par.

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Former British Open champion Paul Lawrie of Scotland and Paul Gow of Australia followed at 8 under, while Sweden's Parnevik finished at 7 under.

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