Open day three: Rory McIlroy supporting leader Shane Lowry after missing the cut

Shane Lowry had the full support of Rory McIlroy as he sought to turn the halfway lead into a second Open title at Royal Troon.

While McIlroy made an early exit on 11 over par following rounds of 78 and 75, Lowry mastered the windy conditions to shoot 66 and 69 and forge a two-shot lead over Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose and surprise package Dan Brown.

McIlroy conceded he started thinking about his holiday plans as soon as his faint hopes of making the cut disappeared following a triple-bogey on the fourth...