Shane Lowry -Leinster Supporter Flying the Flag

[Ruckedtobits]

It's late and Ireland could have closed the deal tonight. But can't close down the mind without giving a shout out for Shane Lowry, great Leinster Rugby supporter - flying the flag overnight at -5 leading the US Open by a couple of shots with 4 or 5 holes to complete in the morning.

Dressed all in black, like Gary Player in his heyday, he is playing magnificently and could follow McDowell and McIlroy as a winner of this Major.

He will have followed Irish fortunes in J'berg and probably also Sevens in Monaco and understood exactly the significance of both performances.

Sleep well Shane and good luck tomorrow. Remember, the Irish Open as an Amateur was still a more impossible feat that you face tomorrow. Go well and be confident in your ability

[Grumpy Old Man]

Four shot lead with just an hour to go before he starts his final round. Go well Shane - hopefully you can bring the trophy to the RDS in September.

[limecat]

Not going so well today. Back to 4 under and one off the lead.

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[Ruckedtobits]

Tough front nine playing a little bit defensively. Now has to go back to how he played earlier in the week and just let the shots come. His putting is still in great order and that's usually the key in the back nine of a major.

[Ruckedtobits]

Well tried Shane. You gave it a great go and there's a Major in there somewhere yet.

[cormac]

Won't be flying the flag at the Olympics though. Are there any other sports seeing such withdrawals because of the zika virus?

[Peg Leg]

Won't be flying the flag at the Olympics though. Are there any other sports seeing such withdrawals because of the zika virus?

How much time would the team camp and competition knock out of their potential earnings calendar? Is there a pro tournament running close to or during the Olympics? If so I'd say the odds of winning are better for many with a lot if the field at a pro bono event.

[cormac]

Won't be flying the flag at the Olympics though. Are there any other sports seeing such withdrawals because of the zika virus?

How much time would the team camp and competition knock out of their potential earnings calendar? Is there a pro tournament running close to or during the Olympics? If so I'd say the odds of winning are better for many with a lot if the field at a pro bono event.

There's no event on the European Tour that week but there is a PGA Tour event, albeit not one of the bigger tournaments. The inclusion of the men's Olympic event (Aug 11-14) has meant a shuffling of the normal tour schedule. The USPGA is now taking place a week earlier than usual and is only two weeks after the Open Championship and that's meant the WGC event at Firestone (won by Shane Lowry last year) has been moved to this coming weekend. That means it clashes with the French Open on the European Tour.

I do wonder if any of the female golfers are withdrawing due to the zika virus and I suspect that if there was a $10m purse on offer the men would all be stocking up on insect repellant.

I'd also say the nature of qualification for the golf at the Olympics means that the standard would be nowhere near a major or a WGC event, even if everyone eligible turned up.

[Ruckedtobits]

Prepared to accept that golfers face a unique risk being outdoors in areas with water which are habitat of mosquitoes, for prolonged periods - six hour rounds plus warm up is maybe 8 hrs per day. Possibly only the 3Day Eventers face the same level of threat, from a medical perspective.

Totally understand that young males who have been told that only absolute protection is guaranteed by abstention, or totally protected activity, for up to 4 months after return, possibly accompanied by medication, would decide with their partner, "we don't need this".

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Totally understand that young males who have been told that only absolute protection is guaranteed by abstention, or totally protected activity, for up to 4 months after return, possibly accompanied by medication, would decide with their partner, "we don't need this".

For a variety of reasons that's one of the best paragraphs I've ever read on here