Home favourite Shane Lowry storms into Irish Open lead with course-record 62

The Irishman made nine birdies and one bogey at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, Ireland, Doonbeg to set the target at 11 under par as he leads Haotong Li, Jacob Skov Olesen and Niklas Norgaard.

Lowry, who famously won this event as an amateur in 2009 and has played every edition since, followed up an opening 67 on Thursday by taking advantage of the easier conditions and setting the tone for the early groups on Friday.

Lowry was unstoppable from the third, rattling off six birdies in seven holes to turn in 30 before adding two more at the 11th and 12th. A three-putt bogey at 13 was his only blemish, but he responded with another birdie at 15 before finishing with a 62 - a new course record at Doonbeg.

"It was nice. It was real fun out there," he said of his fourth ever 62 on the DP World Tour.

"I got off to a nice start and then I just kept going. I felt great out there. Just kept my foot on the gas and tried to keep hitting good shots and keep holing putts.

"I liked the little birdie I made on 15 after the mistake I made on 13. Also, I think my par putt on 10 was probably my highlight of the day. After getting pretty unlucky with my second shot, I think I did a great job making par there."

The home fans were out in force around the par-70 venue, and Lowry was quick to credit their support.

"The crowds were amazing out there today," he said. "They support me along the way and it was nice to give them something to shout about."

Leading the chasing pack for much of the morning was Haotong Li, whose eagle-birdie-birdie run from the 10th helped him into contention on his way to a seven-under-par 63.

Li, who hasn't made the cut in an Irish Open since 2015, said he's been enjoying the DP World Tour's latest course as he looks to build on his confidence.

"I think the course is different than last few times. Last few times was really soft. This week the greens are actually kind of pure, and the ball wasn't spinning back at all, like, compared to the previous ones. So, yeah, it's pretty decent condition and rolled some good putts.

"Yesterday was kind of like a little bit bad weather. Even some of the 3-feet par putts, I felt like they were shaking. But today it was kind of like birdie heaven, everything kind of going my way and the weather just holding out pretty nice.

"Just need to gain some confidence from those situations, and I just am very happy to have another opportunity to compete again."

Rasmus Hojgaard, who posted an impressive 63 on Friday, enters the weekend as part of group a shot further back on seven under alongside first round leader Joaquin Niemann, Tom McKibbin, Ewen Ferguson and Kazuma Kobori.