Shane Lowry is leading the home challenge at the Amgen Irish Open! In this video, we dive into the opening round at the rain-soaked K Club. Lowry, the 2009 champion, finished with a three-under par 69, just three strokes behind the leading trio. We’ll break down the action, including Nacho Elvira’s impressive bogey-free round and Thorbjorn Olesen’s comeback after an early double-bogey. Don’t miss the exciting finish as Zander Lombard aims to join the leaders after Round 1. Plus, we’ll hear from Lowry himself about his performance and the challenging course conditions. Get ready for more Irish Open thrills as we bring you all the latest updates!
Shane Lowry is charging up the leaderboard at the Amgen Irish Open, proving that homecourse heroics are still very much alive. After a gritty first round 69 at the Rain Soaked Kub, the 2009 champion sits tantalizingly close to the top. Just three strokes behind a thrilling three-way tie for the lead. But here’s where it gets controversial. Can a player really thrive in these soggy conditions? Or does the weather create an unfair playing field? Let’s dive into the drama unfolding on the Emerald Isle. The leaders are a trio of standout performers. Thorbjorn Olison, Nacho Alvvera, and Roma Langas. Elvvera, the Spanish sensation, electrified the crowd with five consecutive birdies on the back nine, surging from midc obscurity to six underpar with a bogey-free 66. Olison chasing his second straight Danish victory in the Irish Open. A feat last achieved by the absent Rasmus Highguard clawed back from an early double bogey with eight birdies over his final 15 holes. Langas, meanwhile, showcased French finesse with seven birdies and a single dropped stroke in his own 66. But the real talking point is Lowry’s resilience. The Irishman started slow, battling a cold putter that left him one over after eight holes. A three putt at the 15th hole briefly dented his confidence, but a miraculous bunker shot to a tap-in birdie at the par 51 18th turned the tide. He added birdies on holes four, six, and nine, including a clutch 14-footer to finish at three underpar, tying for 12th. I reminded myself I was hitting the ball well, even if the putts weren’t falling. Lowry admitted. That birdie at 18, that was the spark I needed. The weather, as Lowry noted, was a double-edged sword. While the soft waterlogged fairways made spin control a nightmare, the players embraced the challenge. It’s September in Ireland, chilly, misty, and perfect for testing your game, he said. The pins were all in the back, so every approach felt like a gamble. And this is the part most people miss. The leader scores weren’t absurdly low because the course was punishing, but the top performers still managed to stand out. Xander Lombard, for instance, had a chance to join the lead group, but was caught in the fading light on his final hole. Meanwhile, Rory Mroyy’s round was a roller coaster. The 2016 champion started strong with four birdies on the front nine, but unraveled with two late bogeies, finishing at one underpar. His frustration boiled over when he criticized being put on the clock early in his round, which he said cost him composure. “You can’t rush excellence,” he remarked. “I gave myself chances, but I left them all out there.” The Irish contingent has plenty to cheer about. Alex Magcguire, a 24year-old challenge tour regular, briefly led at four under par before a double bogey at the seventh. Laytown star still has a chance to match Lowry’s three under if he finishes strong. Tom McKibben and Sheamus Power also kept their heads above water, while Podrick Harrington struggled with just one birdie in a two over 74. So, what’s next for this unpredictable tournament? Will the weather continue to favor the bold or will someone like Lowry capitalize on the home advantage? And do you think the course conditions were fair or did they unfairly disadvantage the leaders? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. We’re eager to hear your take. Catch all the action live on RTE Sport with coverage across RTE 2, RTE1, and the RTE player. The battle for the Irish Open is just heating
