Carton House’s Shane Lowry warmed-up for this week’s Irish Open with a blistering final round 65 in the BMW International Open in Munich.

Ernie Els busted out of last week’s Merion ‘torture chamber’ and singled out Irish-born caddy Colin Byrne for helping produce his lowest score in seven months on the opening day of the 25th anniversary BMW International Open in Munich .

Shane Lowry heads the Irish charge at this week’s BMW International Open in Munich on the Munchen Eichenried course.

PETER LAWRIE and Gary Murphy carded respective rounds of 66 and 70 with Lawrie ending the day just two strokes off the lead with a six-under par 66 in the opening round of the BMW International Open yesterday.

ENGLAND’S Nick Dougherty, who this time last year had little desire to play golf, finally returned to winning ways in Munich yesterday – and with it earned a place in next month’s Open.