Shane Lowry delivered a spectacular performance at the Amgen Irish Open, smashing the course record and vaulting to the summit of the leaderboard on his native soil, while Rory McIlroy voiced disappointment over his putting struggles. Lowry’s round was a masterclass in scoring: he carded an eight‑under‑par 62 at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, featuring nine birdies and just a single bogey, which propelled him to 11 under par and gave him a three‑stroke cushion over the rest of the field that began play that morning.
The former Open champion’s nearest competitors in his half of the draw were China’s Haotong Li, who posted a 63, and Denmark’s Jacob Skov Olesen, who recorded a 64. Both men moved to eight under, while Tom McKibbin trailed six strokes behind Lowry. Olesen’s compatriot, Niklas Norgaard Moller, also finished at eight under, creating a three‑way tie for second place. Further down the leaderboard, Patrick Reed stood at four under after the first round, with Jon Rahm and Robert MacIntyre a shot behind.
McIlroy, who was nine strokes off the lead, posted a second consecutive 69 and lamented his inability to convert opportunities on the greens. The tournament’s opening leader, Joaquin Niemann, followed his 65 with an even‑par 70, while notable players such as Tyrrell Hatton failed to make the cut. Lowry, who first claimed the Irish Open title in 2009 as a 22‑year‑old amateur, was paired just behind McIlroy. The crowd’s enthusiasm swelled as Lowry rattled off three straight birdies starting on the third hole, sparking a surge of excitement.
During his round, Lowry demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the most exciting players on the DP World Tour. He sank a long‑range putt on the seventh, then followed it with two more successful putts on the eighth and ninth holes, racing to the turn in 30 strokes. He continued his momentum with birdies on the 11th and 12th, briefly placing himself on a "59 watch" – the elusive sub‑60 score that many golfers dream of achieving.
A setback arrived on the 13th when Lowry three‑putted from 20 feet, resulting in a bogey that halted his sub‑60 bid. Nevertheless, he recovered swiftly, birdieing the 15th and finishing the round with three consecutive pars, cementing his record‑breaking 62. "It was real fun out there," Lowry reflected after his round. "I got off to a nice start and then I just kept going.
I felt great out there. Just kept my foot on the gas and tried to keep hitting good shots and keep holing putts." McIlroy’s round was a study in missed chances. He managed a birdie from off the second green but squandered several opportunities on the front nine, including an inability to get up and down from a bunker and a missed short putt that would have saved par on the seventh. The world No.
2 did produce a spectacular eagle on the par‑five eighth after a precise approach, but his momentum was undone by a careless bogey on the 11th and a three‑putt on the 17th that erased a long‑range birdie. When asked about his performance, McIlroy described it as "frustration" on the greens. "I just didn't have it on the greens.
I really struggled to read them. It's hard whenever you struggle to read them," he said. "It's been a tough one on the greens the last two days, but tee to green I've actually been pretty happy with how everything else is.
I just need to try to hole a few more over the weekend." Other notable results from the first day included Robert MacIntyre’s 65, which left him three under par, and five‑time major winner Brooks Koepka, who rebounded from a rough opening 75 with a solid 66 to stay on the cut line. The competition remains wide open as the field looks ahead to Saturday’s play, with live coverage scheduled for 2.30 pm on Sky Sports+.
The Irish Open, now in its 50th edition, continues to attract a blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars, all vying for the coveted title on the challenging links layout. Fans can follow the action through Sky Sports' streaming service or explore special deals on golf travel, with over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland offering booking options for enthusiasts. As the tournament progresses, the question on everyone’s mind is who will ultimately claim the Amgen Irish Open crown. With Lowry’s record‑shattering start and McIlroy’s determination to rebound, the weekend promises high drama, strategic shot‑making, and the ever‑present pursuit of that elusive sub‑60 round that still haunts many a professional golfer.