Shane Lowry swapped a surfboard for golf clubs to post a four under par 68 on day one of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Lowry squeezed out six birdies, including three in succession from his fourth hole, in bright but windy conditions at Kingsbarns to share the Irish honours with former champion Michael Hoey on day one of the $5m event in Scotland.
It left the current World No. 84 trailing just four shots behind five players, including former Ryder Cup star Oliver Wilson of England, who lead the field on eight under par.
Shante Lowry tries his hand at surfing – picture from his new look website – www.shanelowrygolf.com
Lowry has returned to golf after a week’s break and just a few days after the unveiling of his new look website that features a series of photos including shots of Lowry trying to surf at Doolin.
“The new website looks great and I’ve had some great feedback already but then I would be telling a lie if I said I managed to stand up on the surf board,” he said.
“It was a great couple of days filming with a few of my friends down at Doolin and Lahinch and while I’d love to give the surf board another go for sure, for the time being I’ll stick with golf.”
However there was both disappointment and delight also on the day of the re-launch of his website with Lowry missing out on Seve Trophy selection but then learning he will partner Graeme McDowell in representing Ireland in this year’s World Cup of Golf in Melbourne, Australia.
“I was very disappointed as I missed out in being sixth on both GB & I qualifying lists,” he said.
“It’s not the end of the world as the day I found out I had missed out on the Seve Trophy I also learned I will be partnering G Mac to represent Ireland in the World Cup in Melbourne.
“So that’s a big plus and I’m looking forward very much to that.”
And with his defence of the Portugal Masters coming up the week after next week’s Seve Trophy Lowry has set himself a goal of winning at least once in the course of his remaining six events this year.
“I played well at this time of the year last year winning Portugal and including this week I’ve got six events this season,” he said.
“They’re six massive events and if I could get a win again I would be really happy before a few months off.”
Hoey fought his way back from a pair of bogeys to start his round with five birdies in a row from the third and then highlighting his round in impressive manner holing his second shot for eagle at the par four 11th hole.
However the 2011 champion then recorded back-to-back bogeys in his similar score of 68.
Simon Thornton, who played alongside Lowry, shot a 69 while Paul McGinley battled Ryder Cup ‘One Year to Go’ fatigue to sign for a 70.
And double past event winner Padraig Harrington continues to struggle in signing for a 76 at Carnoustie where he captured the 2007 British Open.
