The Open 2021: Shane Lowry rues missed chances as hold on Claret Jug loosens

Shane Lowry will almost certainly be relinquishing the Claret Jug on Sunday after the popular Irishman came up short in his attempt to force himself into the final-day reckoning.

The 34-year-old carded a one-under 69 in his third round at The Open on Saturday when he really needed something a little more spectacular if he was to have a realistic chance of defending the title he won at Portrush in 2019.

Friday’s stunning round of 65 had offered hope of a weekend attack but he could only get himself to five-under on Saturday under blazing sunshine and the gap to the leaders looks too wide.

“I have mixed emotions, to be honest, because I played great today but I left a lot of shots out there,” Lowry, who had the rare honour of being reigning champion for two years after last year’s cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said. “One-under was probably the worst score I could have shot, which was very disappointing on a day like today because I felt like I could have shot three, four or five-under.

“I’m disappointed, but kind of proud of myself how I battled back and how I finished. Holed three nice putts on 16, 17, 18.”

Lowry will battle until the end on Sunday but is realistic about his chances. “I’m not sure I can win from here, but I can shoot — the way I’m playing, I can shoot six under. If 10 or 11-under is the winning score, I can obviously win, but I’m not sure. I think the winning score is probably going to be better than that.

“Who knows? I’m very happy with how I handled myself when I got behind the black ball.”

Lowry is trying to become the first player to retain the Claret Jug since compatriot Padraig Harrington in 2008.