Shane Lowry battles back from bogey-bogey start to finish seven off lead at PGA Championship

Three-time major winner Pádraig Harrington, the 2008 PGA champ, struggled on Thursday to a 6-over 77. Harrington was 5-over through the first seven holes after making double on the par-5 seventh but played the rest of the way in 1-over.

BATTLED BACK: Shane Lowry stepped to the first tee on Thursday to start his PGA Championship already nine strokes off the lead. Pic: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Shane Lowry stepped to the first tee on Thursday to start his PGA Championship already nine strokes off the lead. A bogey-bogey start was the last thing he needed.

“I was 11 back after two holes,” Lowry said with an actual smile after fighting back to shoot 2-under 69 at Valhalla Golf Club to sit tied 32nd heading to an early tee time on Friday.