Lowry grabs 2-shot lead

MANILA, Philippines — Shane Lowry moved into the lead of the 152nd British Open at seven under par after his second-round 69 at Royal Troon on Friday as Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods were among the star names to miss the cut.

Only 10 of the 154 players left in the field are under par as the blustery conditions on Scotland’s west coast wreaked havoc with five of the world’s top 10 failing to make the weekend.

Lowry leads by two from Justin Rose and unheralded Englishman Daniel Brown on his major debut.

McIlroy’s decade-long wait for a major will extend into 2025 at least after a disastrous two days to finish on 11 over.

Woods was one of the few players to finish below McIlroy on 14 over after two rounds that will do little to quell doubts over whether he should continue to put a battered body through the strain of looking to add to his 15 major titles.