Lowry hits stunning opening round at Irish Open in Baltray

Shane Lowry produced a stunning opening round in the 3 Irish Open yesterday (Thursday) to give himself a great chance of making the cut. The Offaly golfer started his opening round at a wet and windy Baltray on the tenth hole, and found himself two over after the first four holes. However, after three successive birdies from the 14th, Lowry was at one under after his first nine holes. The Esker Hills man completed the last nine holes with an excellent four under par performance. That meant the amateur golfing star finished with a 67 (five under par). At the time of going to press, Lowry was one behind the lead, with a group of players on 66, including England"s Nick Dougherty. Dougherty"s score was matched shortly afterwards by Scotland"s former Open Championship winner Paul Lawrie and then by Finland"s Roope Kakko, India"s Shiv Kapur and Dougherty"s compatriot Robert Rock.Along with Lowry, Scotland"s Marc Warren, England"s Lee Slattery, Spain"s José Manuel Lara, Julien Clément of Switzerland and Frenchman Thomas Levet were one behind the leaders - albeit when a large number of players were still out on the course. While there is a long way to go in the Irish Open, Lowry can certainly be satisfied the start he made yesterday as he battles it out with the top level professionals.