It was a mixed day for the early Irish starters at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open this morning at the K Club.
Paul McGinley was the first of the Irish out this morning and started his round steadily will four consecutive birdies. The first stumble came at the fifth with a bogey on the par four, but followed that up with a birdie on six.
It would go the same way through seven and eight, bogey followed by birdie to leave him on level par heading into the turn.
A birdie on 11 was followed by a double bogey on 12 to leave him on +1 heading into the home straight. Some solid putting coming down the back nine was finally rewarded with a birdie on the 18th to leave him on level par for the day.
Paul McGinley will be happy with his opening round at the K Club. Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie
Padraig Harrington had to endure a more difficult morning in wet and wild conditions in county Kildare.
He started well with a birdie on 10 to shoot into an early share of the lead but followed that up with a triple bogey on 11.
Another triple bogey on 15 left his with quite a bit of work to do, only chipping away at his high early score with a birdie on 16.
A birdie sandwiched between two bogeys to finish left him with a +4 for his opening round.
Padraig Harrington paid the price for two double bogeys on his opening nine. Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie
Shane Lowry finished the best of the early Irish, two birdies and two bogeys in his opening nine left him in good stead heading into the turn.
Some beautiful approach shots saw him pick up a birdie on one, four and six to cancel out on two bogeys and leave him with an opening round score of -1.
Highlight of his opening round included this magical approach shot on six:
Shane Lowry putting on a show for his home crowd 🎯 https://t.co/2qoERJ0zX5
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 19, 2016
Shane Lowry shelters from the rain during his opening round. Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie
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