James Sugrue surges to top five as Shane Lowry 10 off the lead at Irish Open

Cork's James Sugrue is in the top five after carding a round of 67

Shane Lowry on the 18th hole after a disappointing first round at the Irish Open. Picture: INPHO/Tommy Dickson

Irish amateur James Sugrue followed Shane Lowry home at Galgorm Castle to offer a stark contrast in moods after their first rounds at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open on Thursday.

Open champion Lowry, who won the Irish Open as an amateur at Baltray in 2009, shot a five-over-par 75 in his first competitive start on Irish soil since he lifted the Claret Jug at Royal Portrush in July 2019 while current amateur Sugrue emerged with an opening three-under 67, two shots behind the early clubhouse leaders Dean Burmester of South Africa and England’s Jordan Smith.