By Norman Dabell
BALTRAY, Ireland (Reuters) - Amateur Shane Lowry was the shock second-round leader of the Irish Open after the European Tour decided to shorten the County Louth course by 312 yards on Friday because of bad weather.
Irishman Lowry responded with a 10-under-par 62 for a two-shot lead as the course changes and improved conditions in the afternoon produced a glut of low scoring.
The 22-year-old could become the tour's third amateur winner in just over two years. New Zealander Danny Lee won the Johnnie Walker Classic in February, while Spaniard Pablo Martin won the 2007 Portuguese Open.
Lowry, on 15 under at the halfway stage, is two ahead of Robert Rock and Jamie Donaldson, who both shot 65s.
The 1999 British Open champion Paul Lawrie had a hole-in-one at the 17th, earning a 40,000 pound car, on his way to a 66 and fourth place on 12 under.
The pros, though, are taking a back seat to a player lying 16th on the world amateur listings.
"It's a dream and I'm waiting to wake up," Lowry told reporters. "I came here just thinking of making the cut, not shooting 10-under-par.
"Now it's hard not to think about winning, which would open all doors for me," added Lowry, who is likely to make Britain and Ireland's team for September's Walker Cup.
More rain and strong winds are forecast for Saturday's third round, which officials have rescheduled to finish earlier in an attempt to avoid the really bad weather.
"Coming from Ireland, I should be able to handle it," the leader said.
MOLINARI DISQUALIFIED
Overnight leader, Italian Francesco Molinari, left Ireland empty handed.
He was disqualified for signing for the wrong score on two holes of his second round.
Later Molinari's course record 63, set in the first round, was bettered by two shots by Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell.
McDowell rescued himself after an opening 77 by running up an eagle and 10 birdies for his 61.
He missed equalling the tour's best 18-hole score when his eagle putt on 18 came up two inches short.
"It was my career-best score and I was thinking 59," said McDowell, who was nine shots off the pace.
European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie carded a 65, his best round since last year's Hong Kong Open, and was six strokes behind Lowry.
Triple major champion Padraig Harrington's disappointing season continued when the Irishman, in the midst of swing changes, missed the cut by a stroke.
This was despite returning a four-under 68, his first sub-par effort since the first round of last month's U.S. Masters.
American John Daly missed the cut by three strokes, having finished second in Italy last week.
Michael Hoey was also disqualified for having one too many clubs in his bag.
(Editing by Alison Wildey.