Amateur Lowry and Rock share Irish Open lead

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Johan Edfors fired the best round of the day with a 4-under 68. He's two shots behind the leaders.

BALTRAY, Ireland (AP) -- Irish amateur Shane Lowry bogeyed the final hole to drop back into a tie for the lead with Robert Rock after the third round in the Irish Open at Baltray on Saturday.

Lowry three-putted the par 5 last as Rock holed a 20-foot putt for birdie. The Irishman finished with 71, Rock had 69. They both have totals of 200, 16-under par.

Johan Edfors of Sweden shot the day's best round with a 4-under 68 on a day when play was suspended for five hours because of high winds. He was two shots behind.

Lowry, who took a two-stroke lead into the third round after his 10-under 62 in gentle conditions Friday, kept his nose in front throughout the final round - until the last.

His third shot was too strong and finished behind the pin 30 feet away. He putted six feet past and missed.

"I felt a bit nervy playing the last but I still feel I can win tomorrow," the 22-year-old from central Ireland said.

If he succeeds, he will be the second amateur to win on the European Tour this year following Danny Lee in the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth three months ago.

Rock hit a poor second shot at the 18th and his 9-iron third finished 20 feet away, but he holed the birdie putt. Rock has been second twice this year as he seeks his first Tour victory in his seventh year on tour.

He said conditions were tough all day, even after play resumed following the break.

"It was still very windy. You had to stay focused on every shot. The slightest mishit shot and you were punished," The Englishman said.

The joint leaders had played just one hole in the morning before play was suspended.

"That probably was an advantage because the wind was a little easier when we came back out," Lowry said.

Graeme McDowell, who Friday shot a course-record 11-under 61, withdrew Saturday because of shin splints in his right leg.

He said he first felt the problem Thursday and was in discomfort Friday when he limped up the final fairway to complete his 61.

"There is no problem hitting shots but today, as I walked from the driving range to the first tee, it was bad and my physio advised me to withdraw," McDowell, the former Ryder Cup player ,said.

He hopes to be ready for the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth next week.