SHANE LOWRY HAS made a magnificent start to the Waste Management Phoenix Open and is currently tied for the lead after carding a six-under-par first round.
Lowry, who had a breakthrough year in 2015 largely due to his WGC Bridgestone Invitational victory last August, is sitting atop the leaderboard with American Rickie Fowler.
The Offaly man got his US season off to a solid start in Torrey Pines last weekend, finishing alongside compatriot Paul Dunne in a tie for 13th.
Starting on the 10th, Lowry got off to a stunning start, picking up five birdies in his first nine holes. But a mixed back nine — bogeys on the fifth and sixth holes sandwiched by birdies on the third, fourth and seventh — saw Lowry card an opening-round 65.
Lowry, now ranked 21st in the world, had an early tee-off time in excellent scoring conditions.
Greystones man Dunne and Dubliner Padraig Harrington are also in action in Phoenix, with both among the day’s later starters.
You can follow the leaderboard here.