Lowry stays patient as Harrington recovery bid undone by late double bogey 

American Kurt Kitayama takes early clubhouse lead at Honda Classic

Shane Lowry drives on the third hole during the first round of The Honda Classic at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Picture: Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Shane Lowry chiselled out a level par 70 to trail early leader Kurt Kitayama by six shots in the Honda Classic as Pádraig Harrington's gutsy comeback was undone with a closing double-bogey.

The 50-year old Dubliner found water at the 12th (his third) and bunkers from the tee at the 14th and 15th and ran up bogeys to find himself three-over through just six holes before fighting back.