Golf-Irish eyes still smiling for young amateur Lowry

By Norman Dabell

BALTRAY, Ireland, May 16 (Reuters) - Amateur Shane Lowry kept up his hopes of a shock Irish Open victory when he ended Saturday's third round in a tie for the lead with Briton Robert Rock.

The pair were locked together on 16-under-par 200 after Rock rolled in a 20-footer to birdie the last hole while the 22-year-old Irish amateur carded a three-putt bogey.

Lowry shot a 71 while Rock returned a 69 on the windswept County Louth links as they moved two strokes clear of Swede Johan Edfors (68).

"I'm disappointed to finish like that but I'm still in the lead going into the final round and I can't ask for much more," Lowry told reporters.

"If I play the way I have all week I still have a good chance tomorrow."

After strong winds caused golf balls to move on the greens and led to a five-hour suspension of play, overnight leader Lowry worked hard to stay in front of the professionals.

The youngster went three shots ahead by the turn but ran out of steam on the final green.