DP World Tour: Jorge Campillo takes charge at Irish Open as home hopes Lowry and Power thrill crowds

Spaniard Jorge Campillo took command at he Horizon Irish Open as he grabbed the halfway lead on Friday with a four-under 68 at Mount Juliet Estate, as home favourites Seamus Power and Shane Lowry put on a thrilling late show for the jubilant Irish fans.

The County Kilkenny venue saw four seasons in a day as heavy rain and cold weather moved in for the afternoon starters, but not before Campillo had set the clubhouse target at 11-under in more favourable morning conditions.

Power and Lowry, playing together in front of huge crowds, set off on different paths early on in the tricky conditions — World No. 36 Power embarked on a birdie run of five in seven holes at the midway point of his round to move right into contention, while former Open Champion Lowry struggled to get going and was in clear danger of missing the cut.

A stunning finish, however, delighted the local support as Lowry birdied all of the last four holes — finishing in style by holing a 20-footer at the last amid wild celebrations — to make the cut by a shot, while Power also picked up a birdie at the challenging final hole to move to eight under par.

The 35-year-old, who grew up less than an hour away in County Waterford, will enter the weekend just three shots off the pace. Recent US Senior Open winner Padraig Harrington will also entertain the spectators at the weekend after he finished with back-to-back birdies to join Lowry on a three under par total.

“I played great over the last two days, so I can’t complain,” said Campillo. “It was great two days.  Today was a little tougher than yesterday and I managed to play okay as well, so I’m quite happy about it.

“I’m not so good in the rain but the guys from the UK and Ireland, they are quite good, so they still play good. But it’s definitely it’s going to play longer.  It’s harder definitely in the rain and it’s still a little windy. So I think it’s going to be a tough afternoon if stay like this.

“It’s going to be a hard weekend but just looking forward to it.  If I can keep putting the ball in play off the tee, hitting good irons like I’ve been doing, not missing short putts, missed a few today, it will be a good weekend I think.”

Lowry added: “It was pretty cool. To be honest, I had kind of resigned myself to the fact I was going home, packing my bags. Don’t know if I’ve ever birdied the last four to make a cut so that’s a first. I’m just happy to be in the weekend.

“Everybody knows how much this tournament means to me and how much I want to be here. Quite a few people come to see me play and nice to have them here now and I’m looking forward to the weekends.”