Shane Lowry was heading straight to the practice range despite the delight in posting a four-under 68 on the opening day of the Safeway Open at Napa in California.

Lowry, and competing in the $US 6m event for the first time in his career, was level par through 11 holes and then played his closing seven holes in four-under on the Silverado resort course.

Scotland’s Russell Knox and, like Lowry, a former Irish Open winner grabbed an eagle and seven birdies in a nine-under par 63 to take the early clubhouse lead in the first event of the new 2020/21 PGA Tour season.

Knox had ended the 2019/20 season early last month having missed a run of nine halfway cuts before and after the lockdown ahead of finding some form in his closing two events but ending his year 127^th on the FedEx Cup standings.

Fortunately, the Tour made the decision during the three-month lockdown that all players eligible for the 2019/20 season would not lose their Tour card, and that included a relieved Knox.

Shane Lowry on route to a rousing 68 on the opening day of the 2020 Safeway Open

The 100 plus temperatures over the practice rounds gave way to a one-hour delay due to fog, and with players looking for pullovers in the first round of 50 events on the new schedule.

Lowry was off the 10^th tee but was one-over after four holes with a bogey at his 13^th before a first birdie at the par-5 18^th when he chipped to seven-foot.

The Clara golfer found the ‘side door’ for a birdie at the third hole and after finding a fairway bunker down the right side of the fourth, or his 13^th, and then after finding the green some 12-foot left of the flag, he broke out in a big smile in sending his ball to the bottom of the cup to be now two-under.

And it was a delighted Lowry who then birdied his 17^th, holing a 12-footer while Lowry comfortable holed a six-footer on the last for his 68.

“It was too nice when we teed-off, and what with a bit of a delay, and while I got off to a bit of a slow start it was nice to finish the way I did,” said Lowry.

“I ground it out well and I also feel as though I played my best with some new equipment in the bag.

“I did struggle with the driver so I am off to the range now to try and figure that out.  I put a new shaft in it this week and it feels like it’s a little strong for me.

“Aside from that, I am happy to finish at four under.”

And what was it like playing along the now 50-year old Mickleson?

“It was a nice morning and nice to again play alongside Phil, and I always have a good time playing alongside Phil,” said Lowry.

“I’ve always said he is one player I would always play to watch.”

The effort saw Lowry head to the clubhouse sharing sixth place while Mickelson struggled in signing for a 71.

Fellow Irishman Seamus Power, and who was out in the first group, was also the first to finish his round posting a three-over 75.

Power had been one-under through 11 holes but dropped four shots in succession from the 12^th to 15^th holes.