Lowry in contention at half way point in The Open

There was contrasting fortunes for two Offaly golfers after the second round of The Open in Royal Birkdale.

Former Open champion Shane Lowry added a two-under 68 to his opening round 69 to leave himself at -3 coming into the weekend.

He is five shots behind halfway leader Australian Lucas Herbert, who shot a sensational 62 to lead the field at eight under.

The eight under score shares the honour of the lowest ever round in golfing Major history. Herbert actually bogeyed the last to deprive himself of being the first golfer in history to shoot 61 at a Majors.

And remarkably his 62 was equalled later on Friday by American Sam Burns, who birdied the last, to leave himself on five under and a tie for fourth.

The record is now shared with a number of golfers, including Shane Lowry, who carded a 62 in the third round in the US

Lowry currently sits in Joint 14th after a steady round, which saw him at the turn at two under, with birdies on the first and ninth.

A dropped shot on the penultimate hole threatened to damage his score being he rebounded straight away with a birdie on the last.

Although five shots behind the leader, Herbert, Lowry is just three off second place, currently held by opening round leader US golfer Jackson Suber and his compatriot Cameron Young.

Meanwhile, the other Offaly golfer in action, amateur Stuart Grehan carded a very credible one under score. However, it was not enough to undo the damage caused by a seven over par opening round. Grehan's 36-hole score of six over, was well outside the projected cut of one over.

Rory McIlroy shot a 67 today to go into the weekend at one under, two behind Lowry.

The second round is continuing this evening at Royal Birkdale.

With low scores a feature, those off the pace will need to produce some scintillating golf over the weekend to put themselves in the frame.