‘I Played This Wind Two Weeks Ago’ - Lowry’s Early Troon Scouting Mission Pays Off For Lowest First Round Major Score
The 37-year-old carded a five-under-par first round to sit one back of the lead of The Open Championship, with Lowry crediting a scouting trip a fortnight ago for his excellent play


Shane Lowry made the dream start to The 152nd Open Championship, as the former Claret Jug winner fired a blemish free five-under-par round of 66 to sit one off the lead at the top of the leaderboard.
Carding five birdies and 13 pars, Lowry looked composed throughout as the majority of the field struggled on the first day at Royal Troon, with less than 20 players under-par at the end of play on Thursday.
The reason for the scoring can likely be put down to the change of direction in the wind, which was the complete opposite to how the practice rounds played on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
However, an early trip to Troon a fortnight ago proved to be of much value to Lowry, who went out in a three-under 33 and followed it up with the same score on the back nine, including a final hole birdie from a stunning approach into the 18th.
When asked about how the wind impacted the first day, Lowry stated: "It did change a lot because we played the front nine down and the back nine into the wind in all our practice rounds.
"Fortunately enough, I came here two weeks ago and I played this wind on the second day that I played here. I saw the golf course in every wind possible I could see it. I guess that was a good thing to do, and it's out there paying off a little bit today."
A post shared by Shane Lowry (@shanelowrygolf)
A photo posted by on
Back in 2019, Lowry claimed a first Claret Jug at Royal Portrush following a first round 67. That year, he began the second day one back of American, JB Holmes, with Lowry going on to fire rounds of 67, 63 and 72 to pick up the biggest win of his career.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
In 2024, his current nearest challenges include DP World Tour winner, Daniel Brown, two-time Major champion, Justin Thomas, as well as the likes of Alex Noren, Xander Schauffele and Justin Rose.
"It's great (leading), but there's three rounds left. If I don't play well the next three rounds, it doesn't matter what I shot today," stated Lowry, who has one victory this year alongside Rory McIlroy at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
"I'm fully aware that I have a job to do over the next three days. Look, I'd give anything to win this tournament again. I'd give anything to give myself a chance to win this tournament again, and that's why I'm here this week. This is obviously a great start to do that".
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
-
Texas Children's Houston Open Leaderboard: Min Woo Lee Searches For First PGA Tour Victory As Scottie Scheffler Among Chasing Pack
The Australian sits at 17-under-par and four shots clear going into the final day at Memorial Park, with Lee searching for a maiden PGA Tour victory
By Matt Cradock Last updated
-
Ex-Prisoner And Australian Bike Gang Member Locks Up DP World Tour Card
Once imprisoned for assault, Ryan Peake went on to win the New Zealand Open earlier this year and has now wrapped up a DP World Tour card for 2026
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'I've Just Changed My Life' - Reformed Convict Books First Major Start After Winning New Zealand Open
Former Australian bike-gang member and ex-prisoner, Ryan Peake continued his incredible comeback story in style on Sunday by winning the New Zealand Open
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
The 10 Oldest Golf Tournaments In The World
Several national open championships and a handful of amateur events on both the men's and women's side make up the list of longest-running tournaments
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
LIV Golf Major Winners Seek Open Championship Spot After Committing To Asian Tour Event
Sergio Garcia and Patrick Reed are the latest big names to commit to the International Series Macau event, which offers up three spots in The Open Championship
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Open Qualifying Series 2025: Full Schedule Ahead Of Royal Portrush
The R&A has confirmed the 13 different opportunities which will give golfers their chance to book a spot at the 153rd Open Championship later this year
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
LIV Golf’s Positive Momentum Continues With Report Of Pending Open Championship Route
LIV Golf may be poised to welcome a second Major exemption pathway to its players after the US Open confirmed a route earlier this week
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
St Andrews To Host 2027 Open Championship
The Old Course at St Andrews will stage the 155th Open Championship to maintain the five-year rotation of the Home of Golf staging the battle for the Claret Jug
By Paul Higham Published
-
'Provisional Support' Given To Portmarnock As First Open Outside UK Moves A Step Closer
There could soon be a new links on the Open rota, as golf's oldest Major looks set to be played outside the UK for the first time
By Michael Weston Published
-
Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion Confirms He Will Give Up Major Starts In Favor Of Immediate DP World Tour Chance
China's Wenyi Ding confirmed he will be leaving college and giving up starts at The Masters and The Open Championship in favor of immediately starting his pro career
By Jonny Leighfield Published