Fine debut for Lowry

Amateur Shane Lowry, 22-year-old son of a former Gaelic football star, marked his European Tour debut with a superb five-under-par 67 in The 3 Irish Open at County Louth today.

Lowry, a member of the squad from which the Walker Cup side to face America later this year will be chosen, bogeyed two of his first four holes, but birdied the next three and then covered the front nine in a four-under 33.

Two years ago the plus-five handicapper won the Irish amateur title with a hastily put together set of clubs following the theft of his bag from the car park at this week’s venue.

His father is Brendan Lowry and his uncles Sean and Mick also played on the 1982 Offaly team which won the All-Ireland title.