Lee Westwood ended his outward nine with a bogey, but at 10 he's back on it with a birdie and is just a shot behind Fleetwood.

Image source, Reuters

That horror shank from Justin Rose has totally knocked him off his stride - he double bogeys the ninth. Steady stuff from Rickie Fowler who negotiates a par.

Image source, Reuters

Shane Lowry first to putt on the eighth. He closes his brolly and lobs it on to the green like he was playing a knockaround game with his mates.

He gives his putt a clatter and from 50 feet that's not bad. Six feet right of the hole.

What can Tommy Fleetwood do? Par putt from half that distance. Another shot gone, seven behind Lowry.

Back to six straight away though as Shane dribbles his par-saver left.

Mark Chapman
BBC Sport presenter

Image source, Getty

Oh this weather is filthy on the Causeway coast. We're all getting soaked wet, I can't imagine what it's like for the players. Not that it's dampening the fans' spirits here though.

Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood huddle together at the back of the eighth green, getting their waterproofs out. Yes, even Shane, who has been in short sleeves all week.

Want to know how bad it is? Here's Justin Rose. A major winner. On the ninth. A complete shank. His ball goes straight right. The sort of a shot even a high-handicapper would be wincing at. FORE!

So Lowry moves to six shots clear, so it's all over right?! Well not necessarily, remember Lawrie came from 10 shots back to win The Open 20 years ago.

We're still looking for your own personal amazing golfing comebacks or meltdowns. So whether you've put the ball in the woods on the 18th to lose or birdied the last three holes to win, we want your stories and photos tweeted to #bbcgolf

Image source, PA Media

Shane Lowry has a fraction over 200 yards to the pin. He scuds another low one forward and it takes the most fortuitous of bounces, hopping left to miss a greenside bunker and land on the front edge.

Tommy Fleetwood is in deeper trouble but 50 yards closer. The rough is wet, claggy, and Tommy gives it a bunt forward but he's 40 yards short of the green.

There are a few glum faces in the crowd as the rain comes in sideways again. The hardier spectators are huddled under brollies, bin bags, anything they can lay their hands on. Many have headed for the shelter of the concessionary stands.

Brooks Koepka's day is veering all over the place, and at nine he sends the spectators to the right scattering with a wayward tee shot that goes perilously close to out of bounds.

Maybe the rain has got to his radar?

Alex Bysouth
BBC Sport at Royal Portrush

Image source, BBC Sport

Now that’s an effort to get a glimpse of the action - it’s a long, steep climb from the beach below.

Oooh that rain is really coming down and the pathways are now a sea of umbrellas.

The camera cuts to a family in blue ponchos looking thoroughly miserable. Come on, you are at The Open!

A couple of grunts and a hard stare into the gloom from Shane Lowry as he watches his tee shot on the eighth leak out right and bound into the rough.

Can Tommy Fleetwood take advantage? No. "Get a lie, get a lie," he shouts after his ball as it bananas out to the left into even deeper rough.

Image source, Getty Images

Graeme McDowell finishes with a bogey on the last and four over overall. Not the ideal score but what a moment that walk down the 18th was.

"It has been amazing," he told Sky Sports. "I am very proud of the town and the country of Northern Ireland. I am proud of the whole island. We have an Irishman up there leading, it is dream stuff.

"I love this place. It is amazing, the realisation of a dream and to see all these fans, it is amazing."

Justin Rose's faint hopes are being blown away, three bogeys in his outward eight holes have seen him slip back to six under.

Rickie Fowler has a tough one to save par at eight but he drains it to stay at nine under.

Andrew Murray
BBC Radio 5 live reporter at Royal Portrush

Image source, Getty Images

Another short game masterclass from Lowry. He judged that down that wind in skiddy conditions which is so hard in these conditions.

And Lowry makes it count. Tommy Fleetwood saves par on seven but he's bettered again as Lowry taps in a third birdie in four holes.

William Robinson: Spieth 2016 masters. 5 shots up with 9 to play. 6 over on the next three and eventually lost by 3.

Gerry Dolan: New Zealand 8-1 up in 2013 America's Cup....and lost 9-8.

So given the dominant position Shane Lowry is in, we want to know of famous sporting meltdowns you've seen or maybe been a part of.

Hit us up on #bbcgolf.

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer on BBC Radio 5 live

Lowry has had just four bogies in 60 holes. The consistency is incredible.

Alex Bysouth
BBC Sport at Royal Portrush

Image source, Getty Images

Shane Lowry said yesterday he just needs to keep hitting fairways and greens, then hole the odd putt.

Tommy Fleetwood needs all three if he’s to make a move on the leader. He’s failed to find the green on both par threes so far and the birdie at five felt like a missed opportunity given he had an eagle chance.

Hole by hole, Lowry’s edging a little closer to that first major.

The gates are opening. See the Claret Jug big Shane, smell it, marvel in its crafted handle and ornate features.

Tommy Fleetwood is in the bunker after three shots on the par five, Lowry is four feet from the pin.

The fat lady is officially waiting for a beat to drop...

A solid major debut for Scottish golfer Robert MacIntyre as he returns to the clubhouse with a three-under 68.

MacIntyre shot four birdies, including an excellent 25-footer on the last, with the only blemish on his scorecard being a bogey on the par-four 14th.

He finishes on five under overall and is currently in a share of 12th place.

Image source, Rex Features

On seven Tommy Fleetwood is in the thick stuff and his caddie tells him "just get it on the fairway Tom. Be strong."

He is strong and advances it nicely up the fairway before Shane Lowry hits his second a touch short of the green. There's a great chance for another Lowry birdie here...