That wayward drive found the fairway bunker and in truth Lowry's shot from the sand wasn't much better, leaving McIlroy a nasty enough chip onto the green.

The good friends haven't done each other many favours so far.

It's a beautiful pitch from McIlroy, though.

You felt they couldn't drop a shot there and, as Lowry knocks in the short one, they haven't.

Salinda and Velo do and they're back to 24 under par.

Perhaps understandably, there's been sloppy play all over the place upon the resumption.

Our leaders Novak and Griffin have made a pair of bogeys to see their lead cut to one, while the Hojgaards have dropped a shot too.

Now just three back, McIlroy's drive on the 12th is again far from his best.

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Lowry's chip is too short and McIlroy can't make the lengthy birdie putt.

They've played the three par fives in just one under so far today.

That hole will have felt like a real birdie opportunity but not to be.

Remember when we said McIlroy had that eagle when play resumed yesterday...not this time.

He was never going to hole that one but his three wood drifts left and Lowry will have a difficult third shot.

Just a reminder that the pair have resumed on the 11th hole.

The very first thing McIlroy did after yesterday's pause in play was drain an eagle putt...so there's that at least.

Still waiting for word of just how long we're expecting this rain delay to be but we'll be back with you when play resumes.

They don't do light showers around here.

Tipping it down by the looks of it.

We're told the delay should hopefully just be 45 minutes.

Lowry finds the fairway on the 11th.

The third of the par fives, you figure this is a must birdie...

But there goes the hooter.

We had a 90-minute delay for the rain yesterday, let's hope it's not as long today!

As they got up to the ball, the lie wasn't too bad at all there.

Lowry knocks it onto the green...about 14 feet for the birdie.

Oh no!

It just needed another roll or two. McIlroy has his head in his hand, he can't believe that hasn't dropped.

As if to double the blow, Novak and Griffin have found a birdie at the seventh. The American duo move five clear of the reigning champions.

Oooofffftttt.

It's into the rough again off the tee for McIlroy at the 10th.

The Holywood man could really do with finding a few more fairways the rest of the way.

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That's the front nine in the books for Lowry and McIlroy.

They're out in 34 and four behind Novak and Griffin.

Need to hit the accelerator as they head for home.

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Yikes!

Lowry's chip comes up shy of the green.

But it's a great chip from Rory...just about three feet for par.

No troubles for Lowry.

That one will feel like an escape.

Playing partners Salinda and Velo get their first birdie of the day.

McIlroy's drive on the eighth is in the right rough.

Can Shane bail him out?

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Lowry can't get the eagle putt to drop but McIlroy tidies up for birdie.

Novak and Griffin have found a birdie at the fifth too, though.

There's some more of that magic with the irons from McIlroy...his second shot at the seventh leaves just about 13 feet for an eagle.

This would be big!

Almost better than that!

McIlroy gives the bunker shot a real rattle...it doesn't drop but it's a tap-in par for Lowry.

Salinda and Velo remain in neutral, they're even through six.

Can't be giving that shot straight back, though.

McIlroy finds the fairway at the sixth but Lowry's approach is in the greenside bunker.

This feels like a big up and down.

Can they get it?

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That'll do!

Lowry sinks the putt and there's the first birdie of the round.

Within four...

Lowry finds the fairway again at the fifth and McIlroy's wedge is within 13 feet.

Could this be when they get things going?

Meanwhile, the Hojgaards have bogeyed the third.

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About that stroke gained...

The leaders have been out of position off the tee on both their opening holes but Novak sinks a short birdie putt on the par-five second.

Lowry and McIlroy are five back again.

After a better McIlroy drive, the second is 177 yards from the pin and Lowry has a short iron in his hand.

Oh, he'll have been expecting better there as he misses the green.

McIlroy doesn't look too happy with his chip, but it'll be about 10 feet left for Lowry.

But it's a beautiful putt for a fourth consecutive par.

It's been a steady if unspectacular start, but at least they've gained a shot on the leaders already.

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