Amgen Irish Open: Shane Lowry retains lead of home event as Donald Trump arrives despite protests

The home favourite delighted fans at Trump International Links in Doonbeg, on a day when the US President paid a visit to the course bearing his name.

After breaking the course record on Friday , Lowry carried on his superb form into the weekend with only Dane Jacob Skov Olesen remaining close, as he looked set to match the leader's 65 on Saturday.

But after Lowry holed out for par on 18, Olesen was unable to make his putt so carded a disappointing bogey at the last, following an excellent round.

Lowry retains the clubhouse lead at 16-under par for the tournament with Olesen four shots adrift. The next closest player is Joaquin Niemann, who led after Thursday, at nine under.

"Anytime you play a links golf in 15-20mph winds and it got a little cold at the end there, it's going to be hard and you're going to have some testers for pars," Lowry said.

"I felt like I did a great job today of just staying in the moment and playing my own game. Yeah, I had, you know, so much fun out there on the back nine.

"The crowds were incredible. They cheered me on the whole way home and hopefully will do the same tomorrow."

Donald Trump landed just in time to see Rory McIlroy hole out on 18, but the Northern Irishman had a day to forget. His 76 leaves him well out of contention heading into Sunday.

"I guess not the experience we're used to in a way," said McIlroy. "I think it's Air Force One's maiden voyage, I think, so that was pretty cool.

"Cool to sort of see all that going on. I was trying to avoid making doubles at that point so I was trying to concentrate on my own stuff as well."

Trump ignores protests across country to attend Irish Open

Thousands protested against Donald Trump's two-day visit to Ireland on Sunday, with organisers claiming a turnout in the tens of thousands in Dublin.

Sinn Féin and the Greens were among the political parties taking part, and the Irish Gardaí police force mounted a major security operation as the protest disrupted traffic and public transport in the city centre.

Smaller demonstrations were held at Shannon Airport, where the US military's use of the airport for transit and refuelling is a long-standing grievance, and in the village of Doonbeg, close to the course.

Trump had completed a series of engagements in Dublin and left the city before the main march began.

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