Saturday play at the 3 Irish Open at Baltray has resumed after a five-hour delay caused by strong winds that made the course unplayable.

In other Saturday news, shin splints have forced Graeme McDowell to pull out of the tournament.  The Portrush man was half way through his third round when he pulled up just before 10am local time.

22 year-old Irish amateur star Shane Lowry is leading the 3 Irish Open after second round play, while three time major champion Padraig Harrington failed to make the cut.

Lowry shot a ten-under-par 62 to go 15 under par for the tournament,  while Graeme McDowell shot a 61 at the County Louth golf course at Baltray on Friday.

However, pre-tournament favorites Padraig Harrington and John Daly both failed to make the cut and will not be around for the weekend.

Other highlights from Friday's play included a €40,000 hole-in-one for Paul Lawrie on the 17th.  The 1999 British Open winner went on to have a 66 to go 13 under for the tournament, two behind Lowry.

The cut came at four under par, and prominent Irish players still in the hunt include duo Graeme McDowell are Rory McIlroy on seven under, trio Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and Gary Murphy on five under, and in by the skin of his teeth Damien McGrane on four under.

First round leader Francesco Molinari was disqualified after signing off on an incorrect score. The 26-year-old put the wrong score on his card for the 12th, and this error cost him his place in the tournament.