Thursday, May 28, 2009

Lowry fails to shine on pro debut

FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD (GB & Ire unless stated):
-7 A Hansen (Den) -6 T Aiken (SA), P Hanson (Swe), J Randhawa (Ind) Selected others: -4 B Curtis (US) -3 S Garcia (Spa), R McIlroy -2 G McDowell, C Montgomerie, L Westwood -1 J Daly (US), O Wilson Level A Cabrera (Arg) +1 R Goosen (SA), R Fisher +4 H Stenson (Swe) +6 S Lowry +8 M Campbell (NZ)


Shane Lowry
Lowry won at the third extra hole at Baltry

Shane Lowry came back down to earth with a bump on day one of the European Open, carding a six-over-par 78 in his first round as a professional.

The Irishman, 22, became only the third amateur to win on the European Tour when he triumphed in the Irish Open a fortnight ago.

Denmark's Anders Hansen leads after a first-round 65 at the London Golf Club.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy and world number four Sergio Garcia of Spain both carded three-under 69s.

Masters champion Angel Cabrera could only manage a 72, while world number five Henrik Stenson's poor recent form continued with an opening 78.

Lee Westwood fired a two-under 70 and fellow Englishman and defending champion Ross Fisher returned a one-over 73.

Lowry, who before his shock 300-1 victory at Baltray had intended to stay amateur until after September's Walker Cup, said: "I felt a bit flat and I'm glad to have it over.

"It's the first day of many hopefully and there will be good days and bad days.

"I just got off to a bad start, four over after six, and didn't feel myself to be honest. I knew it was going to be tough, it's not an easy course by any means."

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