Firestone a very different challenge for Lowry six years on

[Sports News]

By Mark Lamport-Stokes AKRON, Ohio (Reuters) - Six years after struggling in his first appearance at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, Ireland's Shane Lowry has gained length off the tee and now views the hosting Firestone Country Club in a very different light. A double winner on the European Tour, Lowry relishes playing tough courses and with much better preparation for this week's this week's event than he had in 2009, he surged into contention with a sparkling four-under-par 66 in Friday's second round. "At this stage, in '09, I was 16 (over par)," Lowry, 28, told reporters after registering six birdies and two bogeys on a firm and fast Firestone layout to end the day equal second at four under, four strokes off the lead.

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