Shane Lowry just carded a one-under-par 70.
Honestly, it could have been a whole lot worse. If you’re looking for the Shane Lowry score today, that number 70 at the Dubai Invitational tells only half the story of what happened out there on the grass at Dubai Creek Resort. Golf is rarely a straight line, especially for the Offaly man, and Saturday was a literal grind from the first tee.
He didn't have his best stuff early on. Not even close.
Lowry started the day tied for the lead with Nacho Elvira at five-under, but the wheels looked like they were wobbling early. Bogeys at the third and fifth holes saw him slipping back while others were making moves. Most players might have let the frustration of a "slow start" boil over, but Lowry basically dug his heels in. He managed to scrape together three birdies over his final 12 holes to stay in the hunt.
Right now, he sits at six-under par for the tournament. He’s in a three-way tie for second place, alongside Dylan Frittelli and Marcus Armitage. They are all chasing Nacho Elvira, who holds a two-shot lead at eight-under.
The Saturday Grind at Dubai Creek
It’s easy to look at a scorecard and see a "70" and think it was a boring day of pars. It wasn't. Lowry described it himself as a "grind." He was playing in the pro-am section of the event with Jimmy Dunne, and he admitted he was almost more focused on the team score than his own individual tally for a while.
"Got off to a bad start. Didn't really have it early on," Lowry told reporters after the round.
Turning it Around
The momentum shifted at the seventh. He was in the rough, 189 yards out, and managed to run an approach up to within about three and a half feet. That birdie settled the nerves. He followed it up with a brilliant recovery from the sand on the ninth to get another birdie.
Then came the back nine.
- The 13th Hole: He put his second shot in the water on the par-five. Most guys take a double there and go home. Lowry? He got up and down from 83 yards to save par.
- The 16th Hole: A massive par save from 11 feet.
- The 17th Hole: He stuck his approach close and drained a seven-footer for birdie to move to six-under.
He nearly birdied the last, too, but the putt didn't drop. Still, moving from two-over for the day to one-under shows the kind of grit that won him an Open Championship.
Where the Leaderboard Stands Now
Nacho Elvira is the man to beat. The Spaniard shot a 68 to reach eight-under, and he’s been remarkably consistent with three straight rounds in the 60s. But look who is right behind the leaders—Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy had a nightmare Friday where he found the water four times, but he bounced back today with a 68 of his own. He’s sitting at five-under, just one shot behind Lowry and three shots off the lead.
The stage for Sunday is pretty incredible. You’ve got the local favorite (McIlroy), the gritty Irishman (Lowry), and a hungry leader in Elvira. The purse is $2,750,000, but for Lowry, it’s about more than the cash. He hasn't won an individual title since the 2022 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. That’s a long time for a player of his caliber.
Current Top Standings (Heading into Sunday):
- Nacho Elvira: -8 (68)
- Shane Lowry: -6 (70)
- Dylan Frittelli: -6 (65)
- Marcus Armitage: -6 (68)
- Rory McIlroy: -5 (68)
Why This Score Matters for Lowry's 2026 Season
This is the season opener. Everyone wants to start the year with a trophy, but for Lowry, it’s about proving the consistency is back. Last year had its ups and downs, but starting 2026 by going toe-to-toe with Rory and the best of the DP World Tour in the desert is a statement.
Lowry’s game thrives when he has to "shape shots." He mentioned earlier in the week how refreshing it was to play in the wind and actually have to think about his ball flight rather than just smashing drivers. Dubai Creek is a course that rewards that kind of creativity, and it’s why he’s still in the mix despite not having his "A-game" on Saturday morning.
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The reality is that Elvira is playing great, but he isn't a serial winner. If Lowry can get off to a hot start on Sunday—unlike today—he can put immense pressure on the lead early.
What to Watch for on Sunday
Lowry will be in the second-to-last group with Marcus Armitage. They’ll be keeping a very close eye on what Elvira is doing in the final group behind them.
Keep an eye on the wind. If the breeze picks up like it did on Friday, the advantage swings toward Lowry. He grew up playing in the wind in the Irish midlands; he knows how to "hold" a ball against a crosswind better than almost anyone in the field.
Also, watch the par-fives. Lowry’s ability to scramble for par after hitting the water on 13 today was legendary, but he needs to be making birdies on those holes tomorrow if he wants to lift the trophy.
If you're tracking the Shane Lowry score today and looking for a prediction for tomorrow, expect him to be aggressive. He’s tired of the "close but no cigar" finishes. He wants a win, and he's only two shots back.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the final round tee times; Lowry is expected to go out around 8:00 AM Irish time.
- Follow the live leaderboard on the DP World Tour app to see if he can erase that two-shot deficit in the first few holes.
- Watch the 17th and 18th holes closely—they are the "danger zone" at Dubai Creek where the tournament will likely be won or lost.