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Shane Lowry enhanced his reputation after a second-round 71 at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth on Friday earning a share of eighth place on three-under with Ernie Els, Lee Westwood.
"I believe the weather's supposed to be a bit decent tomorrow," said Lowry, after the toughest day Wentworth veterans Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke can recall on Surrey's famous Burma Road.
Francesco Molinari grabbed the 36-hole lead with a round of 68.
"I love this golf course and feel like it suits me," said the Clara man, who tied fourth at Wentworth in 2011. "I feel like I can play well around here, so there's no reason I can't contend."
Rory McIlroy's on the other hand struggled to explain the reason why he's struggled on the West Course since it was extensively revamped by Els four years ago.
"I was talking to G-Mac about it," said McIlroy after he and playing companion McDowell had signed for the 75s which left them three shots beyond the cut line on five-over. "His best finish around here is tied 13th and mine's fifth," McIlroy added. "And when I had the fifth place, it was before the changes were made."
On Thursday McIlroy played the opening 12 holes of this championship in three-under.
Yet the complexion of his tournament changed with the weather as McIlroy made five bogeys in the final six holes of his first round.
"I'm definitely looking forward to getting back into some golf where I'm not playing in four layers," said the Holywood native.
"It's the same for everyone out there, and that's not really an excuse," added McIlroy. "I just didn't play well. In these conditions, I try to do too much with the ball sometimes and start to hit bad shots, which obviously cost me."
McDowell found a little consolation at once again failing to make the weekend on a course which plainly doesn't suit him by referring to his recent sequence of results, which include a missed cut at the Masters, victory at Heritage, missed cut at Sawgrass, victory at the Volvo World Match Play.
"What's my next event," he asked, adding wryly: "The US Open ... yep, couldn't have asked for better preparation! You know, I'd take missed cut every time if it always was followed by a win. Mind you, I really would've liked to play this weekend. This is a great event."
After playing just four events so far in an injury-hit year, Clarke's pleasure at showing all his craft in the wind and, for a change, holing a few putts was palpable after the accomplished two-under-par 70 which sent him through halfway in a tie for 28th on even-par.
Ryder Cup captain McGinley carded a second round 75, and still made the cut on two-over par.
McGinley played with Lowry and plainly was impressed. "Shane was very good. He had to battle on the front nine and then played really well, making up a lot of ground with four birdies into the teeth of the wind on those last six holes. He really is a fine player."
