Lowry catches a break in Scotland

After many unsuccessful attempts at mastering a surfboard, Shane Lowry continued to stand upright in the ancient club-and-ball game with a four under par 68 on day one of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Lowry recorded six birdies, including three in succession from his fourth hole, in bright but windy conditions at Kingsbarns to share the leading Irish honours with former champion Michael Hoey on day one of the $5m (€3.7m) event in Scotland.

It left the Lowry — ranked world No. 84 — just four shots behind five players, including former Ryder Cup star Oliver Wilson of England, who lead the field on eight under par.

Lowry has returned to golf after a week’s break and also just days since the unveiling of his new-look website featuring a series of very casual non-golfing photos including shots of Lowry trying to surf at Doolin.

“The new website looks great and I’ve had some great feedback already but then I would be telling a lie if I said I managed to stand up on the surfboard,” he said.

However there had been both disappointment and then delight on the day of the relaunch of his website, with Lowry missing out on Seve Trophy selection but then later to be informed he will partner Graeme McDowell in representing Ireland in this year’s World Cup of Golf in Melbourne, Australia.

“I was very disappointed as I missed out in being sixth on both GB & I qualifying lists,” he said.

“It’s not the end of the world as the day I found out I had missed out on the Seve Trophy, I also learned I will be partnering G Mac to represent Ireland in the World Cup in Melbourne so that’s a big plus and I’m looking forward very much to that.”

- Ireland had to play second fiddle to England in the senior men’s Home International Championship at Royal County Down and could finish only third in the round-robin series.

Their outside chances of regaining the crown only weeks after winning the European Seniors Championship were dashed when they lost all three foursomes.

They drew the six singles but the 6-3 reverse meant they ended the week with only one win — against Wales, who collected the wooden spoon after going down 5-4 to Scotland.

England retained their title on a points countback from Scotland

- Kevin Phelan needs to keep his nerve today to make sure of progressing into the second stage of European Tour Qualifying.

The Walker Cup star from West Waterford who has twice qualified for the US Open is very much on a knife edge having 76 bat Ribagolfe in Lisbon yesterday to add to his 70 and 73. His 54-hole total of three over par 219 (10 shots off the lead) keeps him just inside the top 24, the cut-off for progress but he cannot afford any slip-ups today or his chances will have gone.