Lowry maintains one-shot lead at rain-delayed Heritage
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Shane Lowry continued his strong play at the raindelayed RBC
Heritage, moving to 9under par with two holes left when the second round was suspended Friday because of dark- ness.
Lowry, who opened at Harbour Town Golf Links with a 6-under 65 after a 78-73 flameout at the Masters last week, knew conditions were worsening and jumped all over the course as quick as he could with birdies on the first and second holes before storms swept the island resort area.
After waiting out a delay of 3 hours, 43 minutes, Lowry played consistently enough to keep in front.
Trey Mullinax was a stroke behind after a 68. Top-ranked Dustin Johnson and Emiliano Grillo were 7 under after 67s.
Lowry was among 56 players who’ll return this morning to complete the second round before starting the third.
Mullinax, a shot behind when the round began, tied Lowry with a birdie on the 13th. But the Irishman countered moments later with a two-putt birdie on the 15th to take the lead.
Johnson, second at the Masters last week, had his fifth round in the 60s in his past six here. He stood over a birdie putt on his final hole, the ninth, when officials blew the horn and Johnson buckled his knees thinking he might have to mark his ball right there. But players had the option to finish out, and he secured a par.
Johnson, a South Carolina native, had not played at Harbour Town in 10 years before returning last spring. He’s found the narrow fairways and smallish greens more and more to his liking. His formula for the weekend?
“Just keep doing exactly what I’ve been doing,” he said. “I’m swinging well, placing the ball where I want to. Hopefully, I can roll in a few putts over the weekend.”