Shane Lowry stormed straight into contention finishing birdie, eagle and singling out his maiden Honda Classic round of 67 among his top-15 career best.
Lowry had raced to three-under par through six holes in bright but very windy conditions but was back to level with just as many bogeys in a four-hole stretch from the seventh on the PGA National course.
He then birdied 13 but bogeyed 14 before unleashing the fireworks at the closing two holes, firstly holing an 18-foot birdie putt at the par three, 17th and landing a super 243-yard 6-iron second shot to three feet left of the pin for an eagle ‘3’ at the last.
Lowry walked from the course sharing the then clubhouse lead at three under par, and eventually ending the day two shots behind Spain’s Sergio Garcia, to be greeted with a high-five by physio coach, Robbie Cannon.
Shane Lowry marking his ball on the 18th after his 243-yard 6-iron shot ahead of holing the four foot putt for birdie. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
And then as he left the scorer’s hut Lowry bumped into Graeme McDowell, who was headed to the first tee, but who stopped to congratulate his countryman with a ‘fist bump’.
“I would put this round in my top-15 of my career and my best this season, definitely,” said a beaming Lowry.
“To shoot 67 out there feels like a 62 or a 63 standing here now, so it’s one of better rounds.
“I’ve always considered myself a pretty good wind player and I just know how to deal with conditions like today.
Shane Lowry (IRL) during round 1 of the Honda Classic, PGA National, Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, Florida, USA. 25/02/2016.
Picture: Golffile | Fran Caffrey
All photo usage must carry mandatory copyright credit (© Golffile | Fran Caffrey)
“In fact, I was out to dinner last night with Padraig (Harrington) and about six or seven others and we just talking about these conditions, and the fact you just know that it’s going to be a 5-iron and not a 6-iron.
“It’s just being very instinctive and being familiar with the conditions so I am lucky I do know how to play the variety of shots you need to be able to play on days like today.
“So I will take three under any day like what he had today, and the finish I had made up for dropping those shots near the end of my outward half.”
And Lowry singled out Cannon, the 2009 South of Ireland and 2013 Irish Amateur champion and who now runs the Cannon Performance Centre out of Morton Stadium in Dublin, for praise.
“Robbie’s been working with me for just over a year now and through his work I definitely feel stronger, and I’m hitting the ball further,” said Lowry.
Robbie Cannon – Winner of the 2013 Irish Amateur.
“I am also making a lot less lazy and bad swings. I’ve also had problem over the years with my left hip but between Robbie and my trainers, Shane Lawler I’ve managed to make it better and that’s stopped me sliding into playing bad shots.
“I’m actually enjoying what I am doing now with Robbie and it’s something for me that keeps my mind at rest knowing I am doing something productive for most days of the week.
“As well, Robbie is a great lad and I get on well with him which also helps.”
