Shane Lowry fires incredible course-record 63 to lead The Open by four from Tommy Fleetwood going into final round

SHANE LOWRY can finally banish the ghost of Oakmont after a stunning 63 at Portrush sent him storming into a four shot lead at the Open.

Lowry did not need to be reminded that the advantage he has built up over Tommy Fleetwood is identical to the one he took into the final round of the 2016 US Open.

On that occasion he slumped to a six over par 76 and allowed Dustin Johnson to romp to a three shot victory.

But if the man from Offaly produces anything like the form he showed in front of the hordes of adoring Irish fans in yesterday’s third round, he will surely seize this inviting shot at redemption.

Just about the only time Lowry, 32, put a foot wrong was when he sent a wild drive hurtling into the crowd at the 14th hole, and clattered a spectator in the back.

Lowry handed the man a glove with the word ‘Sorry’ written on it. That could prove to be a priceless souvenir if the previous owner is crowned Open champion tonight.

He had nothing else to apologise for as he bagged eight birdies to set a new course record by two shots – and it could have been even better as he left one final birdie putt hanging precariously over the hole at the 18th.

Fleetwood looked stunned as he glanced up at the leaderboard after shooting a superb 66, only to find himself three shots worse off than when he started.

Lowry seemed even more dazed. He said: “My mind is a bit fuzzy! It was just one of the most incredible days of my life.

“But I played great, the crowd were incredible and I just felt so comfortable. I’m hoping to feel that comfortable again out there tomorrow. t in gold, it’s just great when it happens.

“Every time I get a putt I want to hole it just so I can heat that roar again, it’s just incredible.

'MY MIND IS FUZZY'

“I said to my caddie coming off the 17th that for the next half an hour we might never experience anything like it ever again so let’s enjoy it.

“It’s going to be a tough 24 hours, but there is nowhere I would rather be - four shots clear in the Open in Ireland.

"Tomorrow is going to be incredible, whatever happens. I just felt so in control of my game. There are very few times when you feel like that.”

Lowry, the son of a famous Gaelic footballer, deserves to be remembered for more than that final round collapse at Oakmont.

He burst into the spotlight ten years ago by winning the Irish Open while he was still an amateur – but had to pass up the £450,000 winner’s cheque because he could not turn professional once the event began.

But he joined the pro ranks a week later, and showed he has the class to beat the best in the game when he claimed a first World Golf Championship title four years ago, winning the Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone.

He claimed his fourth European tour title in Abu Dhabi at the start of the year, but there was still nothing to suggest he would be so dominant in the Open – especially after missing the cut in the is event FOUR years in a row.

Lowry was inevitably reminded of the 201`6 US Open, but shrugged it off as ancient history.

He added: “I hope I’m hoping to be able to deal with it better. I know its going to be hard but hopefully I’m ready for it.”