Leader Lowry thrilled with form after opening 64 in Abu Dhabi

Playing with Ryder Cup teammates Tommy Fleetwood and Rasmus Hojgaard, Lowry was particularly happy with his putting.

Thu, 06 Nov, 2025 - 14:18

Cian Locke

Shane Lowry shot nine birdies in an eight-under opening round for a share of the lead in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

Playing with Ryder Cup teammates Tommy Fleetwood and Rasmus Hojgaard, Lowry was particularly happy with his putting.

"I rolled the ball well on the greens. I missed a short putt for par, was tricky. Felt like I hit my irons great and gave myself a lot of chances and rolled a few putts in.

"It was nice. I was pretty excited when I saw the group, my pairing today and nice to go out there with the boys. Felt like I played well. I played lovely in the Pro-Am today, so I was feeling confident coming in.

"I was paired with (Fleetwood) in India the first two days and I shot 64, as well. So yeah, something about me and Tommy. But no, I just like playing with him, your friend, and really good player, too, and you kind of feed off each other. It was nice.

"I have a great record without having a great finish here. I don't know, I just like the place. The condition of it is amazing, and I just see my way around here pretty well. Hopefully I can put four rounds together this week."

Lowry, who has previously won this event in 2019, shares the lead with Fleetwood, Richard Sterne, Kazuma Kobori and Adrien Saddier.

Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy opened with a 68 to share 27th.

"It was okay. I felt like I gave myself a lot of chances on the back nine. Just didn't really convert," McIlroy reflected.

"Hitting good putts. But just mostly under-reading them. Then not to birdie the last after where I was off the tee was a little disappointing.

"Hopefully the bad round out of the way. There's three more rounds.

"Just trying to work my way through the gears right now. It's getting there. As I said, hopefully that's my sort of worst round out of the way. But it wasn't terrible by all means. I drove the ball well and felt like the driver was good. New driver in the bag this week. So that was a positive."