SHANE LOWRY IS the leader at the halfway mark of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, with Rory McIlroy in a tie for fifth.

Lowry enjoys a two-shot lead over Wyndham Clark, who was the first round leader by two shots, after Offaly native carded a brilliant five-under 67 today to reach eight-under overall.

Lowry was one of the morning starters and reached the clubhouse as the leader by two shots, a position he remained in after the rest of the day’s action.

McIlroy’s second successive round of two-under 70 sees him four shots off the lead in a tie for fifth. A closing bogey on the 18th spoiled a strong back nine, after McIlroy had made birdies on 13, 16 and 17, before dropping a shot on the final hole for the second succesive day.

After yesterday’s 69 which also featured a bogey on the last, Lowry made his mark today with a storming start as he birdied the 2nd and 3rd, before picking up another shot on the 7th to reach the turn in 33.