Lowry thrilled with opening 66 but focused on business still to come

“They were quite excitable out there, and it felt more like the weekend. I just kept on telling myself there's a lot more to do."

Ireland's Shane Lowry on the 18th green during day one of The Open at Royal Troon. Picture: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire.

Shane Lowry swore he would be happy with just one more Open title earlier this week. Wanting it is one thing, the 2019 champion went out and put a sizeable deposit on a second Claret Jug with a superb opening round of 66 at Royal Troon on Thursday.

The numbers don’t lie but they don’t do it full justice either. Carding a bogey-free round on a day buffeted by such capricious, if not exactly howling, winds was an achievement in itself. Only two others managed it: Justin Rose and Daniel Brown.