Shane Lowry reveals what his caddie told him right before he shot six-under on the back nine at the Tour Championship 

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Shane Lowry catapulted himself back into contention at the Tour Championship on Friday with a scintillating round of seven-under par 63.

However, Lowry got off to a really slow start on day two of the Tour Championship, and was only one-under par through his first nine holes at East Lake.

The 38-year-old Irishman has experienced a really challenging last few months on the PGA Tour after he finished as the runner-up at the Truist Championship.

Lowry’s behaviour on the PGA Tour has been called into question on numerous occasions this season, especially during the US Open at Oakmont back in June.

He has been unusually agitated since he failed to win the Truist and as a result, his poor form has seen him drop down to sixth place in the European Ryder Cup standings.

And it was only on Monday when Lowry found out there were no Ryder Cup points available at the Tour Championship.

Rasmus Hojgaard only needs a top-29 finish at the British Masters this week to leapfrog Lowry in the standings.

So the 2019 Open champion’s second round 63 at East Lake was a really timely reminder of his quality for Luke Donald.

Shane Lowry says what his caddie told him before the back nine at the Tour Championship 

Having made the turn in 34 strokes, Lowry would have known he needed a brilliant back nine in order to be in contention to win the Tour Championship when he tees it up on Saturday.

And the Irishman produced the goods, in style.

He made six birdies to shoot a back nine of six-under-par 29, and he now sits in a tie for 7th heading into the weekend at East Lake.

Lowry spoke to reporters after his round and shared what spurred him on to play so well during his final nine holes on Friday.

He said: “I had a bit of a slow front nine. I wasn’t playing great, and I made a few great pars. I hit a really poor wedge shot over on the 8th hole from the middle of the fairway. I missed it short right in the bunker, something that I don’t do.

“Darren (his caddie) said to me going down nine, just because everyone else is making birdies doesn’t mean you need to go after every flag; just play your own game, do your own thing.

“And that’s what I did on the back nine. Freed me up a little bit but it is amazing what happens when a few putts start going in. It was a nice nine holes, nice round, and pretty happy to get myself up there.

“Obviously the course is playing pretty soft and easy. The scoring is pretty good. The leaders will go away a little bit, but it’s nice to shoot a low number.“

Lowry needed the confidence boost that his 63 provided him with like you cannot believe. It came at just the right time and now he has to go out on Saturday and replicate the golf he produced on Friday.

Shane Lowry’s stats on day two of the Tour Championship

It was an absolute joy to watch Lowry on the back nine at East Lake on Friday afternoon.

Here are his stats from round two of the Tour Championship:

Lowry’s putting was clearly the difference-maker on Friday at the Tour Championship.

The Irishman made an incredible 193 feet of putts at East Lake during his second round 63, and he will need to fill up the cup once again on Saturday if he is to remain in contention heading into the final round on Sunday.