Shane Lowry made a decent fist of his opening round at The Open as he looks to win a second major at Royal Portrush.
After winning the event at Portrush in 2019, Lowry certainly knows his way around the famous old links course and it showed on the opening day in tough conditions.
Lowry made three birdies and two bogeys as he came home in 70 for a score of one under par going into the second day.
With the early leaders like Matt Fitzpatrick and Jacob Olesen getting to four under, it means the Irishman is well in the tournament after day one.
Shane Lowry comments on Royal Portrush after his opening round at The Open
Speaking to the media after his round, Lowry seemed content enough with his performance.
Indeed, when it came to assessing his all round game and the course in general, Lowry had few complaints.
“Everything is great. I’m happy,” Lowry said when asked about his game in general. “I’ve fought with this round of golf in my head for a few weeks now. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. The 1st tee shot wasn’t that easy. I wasn’t feeling very comfortable there. I felt like I managed to handle myself very well.
“All day I felt like I handled myself really well. Crowds were amazing. Everything about this tournament has just been great. I tried to kind of use that as motivation instead of sometimes you can put a bit too much pressure on yourself. I tried to use it in a different way today, and I felt like I did a good job with that.”
Adding further comments on the crowds, Lowry reiterated how impressive the patrons are at Royal Portrush.
“Yeah, I wasn’t expecting 18 to be full with Rory out on the course. The grandstand was full. Nice reception walking down 18. It was pretty cool. Actually, like you said, there’s an extra little bit of pressure on that 5-footer. It would have been disappointing to miss that.
“”Yeah, look, like I said, the crowd have been amazing all week. I won the last time here, and I’m trying to use it to my advantage.”
Shane Lowry comments on first tee nerves at The Open
For Shane Lowry, being a home favourite at Royal Portrush brings extra pressure and while he is a major champion and Ryder Cup winner, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel the nerves.
Indeed, commenting on his opening tee shot, Lowry admitted it was one of the most nervous openers he’s hit in his career.
“That was up there as well. I would put that up there with 1st tee at the Ryder Cup. I was fighting with that all morning this morning. It’s going to be all right for the rest of the week. I just wanted to get my tournament under way,” Lowry admitted.
“I want so much — obviously I want so much to do well in this tournament. I want so much to give myself a chance on Sunday. You can’t do that without hitting a good 1st tee shot. I knew I needed to do that. We all know the dangers that 1st hole can throw at you, so I was happy to get under way.”
With his good friend Rory McIlroy out later and going along nicely, Lowry will be hoping that gap at the top remains within the three shot range.
For now, though, he remains firmly in contention and will be happy with his first day’s work.
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