Open Championship day 1: Shane Lowry toils as Louis Oosthuizen finds early rhythm

Five bogeys and only four birdies leaves the Offaly man requiring something special this afternoon to haul himself into weekend contention.

South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen and Republic of Ireland's Shane Lowry (right) during day one of The Open. Picture: Christopher Lee

A tale of flair and frustration on day one at the Open, much of it coming in Shane Lowry’s group.

Roared onto the first tee just before 10am — Nick Faldo suggested that Lowry would have “felt that from tip to toe” as the cheers rose up on a north-easterly wind that stiffened throughout the day — the defending champion pushed his opening drive right and into a hellish lie. And so began the frustration.