Shane Lowry proved once again why he is one of the most renowned links players in golf as he carded a 67 at St Andrews in tough conditions to sit just three shots off the lead heading into the final round of the 2021 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The Irishman is used to the unique tests the coasts of the British Isles bring and claimed the ultimate prize in links golf when he won The Open Championship in 2019.
When he arrived in Scotland this week, he admitted there was an element of comedown after playing in last week's Ryder Cup but as the conditions have got tougher, Lowry has got better.
After carding a 71 in relatively benign conditions at the notoriously difficult Carnoustie Golf Links on day one, he carded a 67 in high winds at Kingsbarns and then matched it on the Old Course as heavy rain came into play.
He now heads into the final 18 holes at the Home of Golf just three shots behind Danny Willett and despite admitting he is fatigued, he is determined to lift the trophy.
"There's a bit of fatigue, all right," he said. "Obviously it's a bit of a comedown from last week to this week but it's still a big tournament in its own right.
I managed to play some nice golf over the last three days, I'm in a nice position now going into tomorrow and I look forward to it
"I'm a competitor. I'm a competitive person. When I come play, I want to do well. So I'm out there giving it my all.
"I managed to play some nice golf over the last three days, I'm in a nice position now going into tomorrow and I look forward to it.
"I'm OK with the wind. The back nine was playing incredibly tough. I shot level par on the back nine with a bad bogey on ten. I would have taken that standing on the tenth tee.
"It was like the rain started coming in, it was quite cold out there and the ball was going nowhere. I'm able to deal with that, I'm able to do it. I hit some nice shots and gave myself a couple of chances.
"I'm very happy with my day's work."
