The Grove, Watford, England …
Shane Lowry was clearly more thrilled to hole a long birdie putt at the last to tie playing partner, Graeme McDowell with a three-under par 68 than be just two shots from the front on the opening day of the British Masters.
If left the Irish pair trailing just two shots behind the leading foursome of Scotland’s Marc Warren, Finland’s Mikko Illonen, England’s Tommy Fleetwood and South African Richard Sterne competing overcast, cold and sometimes very windy conditions on The Grove course just north of London.
Lee Westwood, who bogeyed his last, along with Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston, are among a big group just a shot off the lead.
Shane Lowry with his coach, Neil Manchin looking on after they combined to shoot a three under par 68 on the opening day of the British Masters.
Lowry has long-time coach Neil Manchin on the bag this week and giving regular caddy, Dermot Byrne a rare break, and with Lowry managing four birdies and just the one bogey.
“It wasn’t easy out there and the conditions made it very tricky and playing very much into a cross wind on every hole,” said Lowry.
“But then I managed to hole a good few putts and I would have snapped your hand off if you had of offered me a 68 teeing up today.
“The birdie at the last was extra special as I managed to tie G Mac.
“There was no wager or anything like that but it was overall just nice to finish on a strong positive note
“And it was good to have Neil on the bag as we’ve had this arrangement a few times now in our careers, and beside Dermot doesn’t mind the week off and this seemed the best week in my schedule for Neil to help out.”
McDowell had sent his second shot at the last way left of the uphill green but then flew the putting surface with his third before getting up-and-down for a par and his 68.
“It was good craic out there between Shane and myself,” said McDowell.
“But then it does seem he works harder trying to beat me than trying to beat the rest of the field, and he just has that very competitive edge to him. He’s ridiculously competitive but in a good way.
“And it doesn’t matter whether you are playing against him for a 100 quid in a practice round or over the last round on a Sunday and trying to win a tournament.
“I would say that after Phil Mickelson, Shane has the best short game in the world. He’s got all the tools. He’s a great player and a very good friend and we enjoy the competitive side of the game.
“We did have a same wager last Friday at Kingsbarns when Shane and Gerry (McManus) took the cash off AP (McCoy) and myself in the Dunhill but nothing like that today.
“So it was just nice to see Shane hole that putt for birdie at the last and tie me, as you could tell he was chuffed to bits”.
Paul McGinley began the first round of his last European Tour event this year ahead of tackling the U.S. Champions Tour Q-School later this year posting a one under par 70.
And Belfast’s Michael Hoey struggled posting a four over par 75.
