'I didn't play my best golf': Shane Lowry makes underwhelming start to Open title defence

Shane Lowry signed for a middle-of-the-road one-over par 71, placing him seven behind afternoon leader Ooosthuizen.

Ireland's Shane Lowry tees off the 7th during day one of The Open at Royal St George's. Picture: Gareth Fuller/PA 

Bogeys ultimately outnumbered birdies on Shane Lowry's day one scorecard at The Open, adding up to an underwhelming first defence of his title at Royal St George's.

Playing alongside the pin-peppering Louis Ooosthuizen - whose bagman is Howth's Colin Byrne - Lowry signed for a middle-of-the-road one-over par 71, placing him seven behind afternoon leader Ooosthuizen.