Amateur shoots 62 at the Irish Open

BALTRAY, Ireland, May 15 (UPI) -- Amateur Shane Lowry had nine birdies and an eagle Friday en route to a 10-under-par 62 and the lead halfway through the Irish Open.

Despite rain and cold, scores were low again at the County Louth Golf Club. Lowry's 62 wasn't even the best score of a day when 62 golfers beat par. Graeme McDowell, who shot 77 Thursday, had a course-record 61 Friday, including a 29 on the front nine.

Lowry, at 15-under 129 for the tournament, has a 2-stroke lead over Jamie Donaldson and Robert Rock, who each had 7-under 65s Friday and are at 13-under. Paul Lawrie, who had an ace at No. 17, is in fourth at minus12.

Lowry had a 31 on each side Friday. He had an eagle at the par 5 sixth hole and four birdies on the front and had five birdies and a bogey -- at No. 11 -- on the back.

First-round leader Francesco Molinari, who had a course-record 63 Thursday, was disqualified Friday for a scorecard error. He shot 73 in the second round.