US Open: Shane Lowry holds two-shot lead in storm-hit tournament at Oakland as leaders play catch-up

SHANE LOWRY is on course for the ultimate reward for upholding golf’s finest traditions at the US Open as he takes a two shot lead into the final day.

The Irish ace called a one-shot penalty on himself in the second round for a rules glitch that no-one else could possibly have spotted.

Lowry saw his ball move fractionally when he addressed it with his putter on the 16th hole, and immediately called over an official to inform him of the penalty.

That rule is one of the many harsh penalties imposed when players have not really done anything wrong, and have not gained any sort of advantage either.

But rules are rules in golf, and the game’s purists will be rooting for the current leader, who bounced back in brilliant style to charge to five under par, to put himself in pole position.

Lowry, 29, showed he knows how to win big by capturing his first World Golf Championship title at last year’s Bridgestone Invitational, where he beat double Masters champion Bubba Watson by two shots.

Among those who would welcome a Lowry victory is Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke.

He is a big fan of his fellow Irishman’s game, and would love to have him on the European team to tackle the Americans at Hazeltine in September – but is reluctant to hand one of his wild cards to a rookie.

A victory today would take care of business, and guarantee Lowry an automatic spot.

Even if Lowry does not hold on, the odds are there will be a new Major champion when the US Open trophy is handed over tonight.

And Lee Westwood, one of just six players below par heading into the final day on two under, can still dream that he will be the player making the breakthrough.

If Westwood continues to enjoy the sort of breaks that have seen him hole out from the fairway for eagle TWICE on par fours, that dream may just become a reality.

When that happens you are entitled to feel the golfing gods are smiling down at you. And no-one deserves a bit of divine assistance more than Westy.

His nine top-three finishes in the Majors are easily the most by any player yet to win one – the next ‘best’ is six by Colin Montgomerie, Doug Sanders, and another player right in the hunt at Oakmont, Sergio Garcia.

When play was halted in the Pittsburgh twilight last night nine of the top 11 on the leaderboard were golfers who have yet to win their first Major title,

The exceptions were Open champion Zach Johnson and world No1 Jason Day, who was the hottest player on the course during round three.

But despite his four under par 66 he is still six shots back –  alongside Johnson – and expecting to back up one red-hot round with another on a course like this is a huge ask.

So will it be Westwood, playing in his 73rd Major. At 43, this year’s Masters runner-up knows he will not get too many more chances to go one better.

Or will Garcia, who has not missed a Major since he turned professional midway through 1999 – and finished runner-up to Tiger Woods in the USPGA Championship as a 19 year old – make his experience count.

Garcia’s run of 68 consecutive Majors is the longest current streak by any player, and his twenty top tens speaks volumes for his consistency.

Second round leader Dustin Johnson has not thrown in his usual choke yet, and you cannot count out world number 624 Andrew Landry, who continues to confound his lowly status in the game by hanging in there brilliantly.

The leaders will return to the course at 17 with a handful of holes to complete before the final round gets under way.

It will be a long day – and with so many players in contention, it is certain to be a dramatic one.