Lowry plans to use pal Rory for PGA invites

Shane Lowry intends drawing on management stablemate Rory McIlroy’s enormous popularity to compete more in the States should he break into the world’s top 50.

The current No 52-ranked Lowry took another step to achieving that goal by carding a two-under-par 70 on the first day of the Volvo Champions event in Durban, five shots behind Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee.

Lowry, who had five birdies in his round, needs only a decent finish along the Indian Ocean shoreline to break into the top 50 and the huge reward of competing at Augusta National.