THE 2013 IRISH Open is unlikely to be won by a homegrown player after the third round at Carton Rouse today.
Yesterday, Rory McIlory, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell all failed to make the cut, which left local fans pinning their hopes on 2009 champion Shane Lowry.
However, after hitting a 74, the Offaly native is eight shots off the lead on five-under-par while Peter Lawrie is one better and best of the Irish thanks to a 67.
Heading into the final day, Lyoness Open champion Joost Luiten of the Netherlands leads on 13 under from Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal, 12 under, and English pair Robert Rock and Paul Casey – ten under and nine under respectively.
Two-time major winner Jose Maria Olazabal, meanwhile, got around in 71 and is just inside the top 10 on 8 under.
