Rónán MacNamara at Royal Troon
Pádraig Harrington knows a thing or two about getting over the line in major championships and he believes that Shane Lowry’s ability to handle being a front runner gives him a great chance of winning a second Claret Jug at the 152nd Open Championship.
Lowry is just one shot behind English debutant Daniel Brown on five-under after a 66 and Harrington can’t be ruled out at the moment either after an opening 72 which.
Lowry’s 66 was his lowest opening effort in a major championship while he is also under par after round one of The Open for the first time since he won in 2019 and Harrington is backing his compatriot to hang around late into the tournament.
“Shane when he gets in front, he’s good. He generally stays up there. He’s a front runner. For him, he needs to get going. He’s not someone who generally chases from behind. It’s very positive for him,” said Harrington.
Lowry has experience of leading from the front at the Open and going on to win. He held off Tommy Fleetwood on that famous Sunday in Portrush and converted a 54-hole lead. It’s a position he is comfortable in and he has bucked the trend of his recent slow starts in major championships.
“I don’t really mind. Like it’s going to be a quick turnaround for tomorrow, so get out there and get after it again, and hopefully get yourself a late tee time on Saturday and you have a good bit of time off. Generally I prefer early Thursdays, late Friday, but that’s just the way I am,” said the Clara man.
Ten-under-par has been mooted as being the winning score and as it stands, Lowry is halfway to that mark just a quarter into the championship.
The wind on day one was different to any of the practice days, gusting away from the usual prevailing wind meaning the wind was into off the right on the front nine and down off the left coming home.
“Look, I think conditions are going to be similar tomorrow. I’m not sure. I haven’t really looked at the forecast. And if they are, it’s not going to be easy, and pars are going to be good. That’s kind of the game plan.”
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