‘A win this week would definitely be the icing on the cake’ — Shane Lowry makes fast start in Dubai
Europe’s Ryder Cup hero at Bethpage Black hasn’t won an individual event since the 2022 BMW PGA but a four-under 68 at Jumeirah Golf Estates gave him something to build on in Dubai.
“The only thing I didn’t do so far this season is win,” said Lowry, who birdied his first four holes and bogeyed the 12th before finishing with a birdie four.
“I’ve got one more chance this week.”
After winning the Ryder Cup in New York, where his half with Russell Henley ensured Europe would retain the trophy, he puts the season down as a success.
“Look, no matter what happens this week, I’ll sit there at Christmas and I’ll have my Ryder Cup trophy on the table and I think it will be a pretty nice year,” he said.
“But a win this week would definitely be the icing on the cake.”
Lowry can’t win Race to Dubai points this week as he didn’t qualify by right but thanks to his status as a Ryder Cup player.
But there’s still a massive title at stake and he was thrilled to put a good opening round on the board from the first group of the day.
“I got off to a very hot start and I didn’t really do much for the rest of the day,” he said. “Nice to birdie the last. It was kind of a frustrating day before that.
“Four-under is okay around here. I think the scoring is going to be good in the afternoon. The course is there for the taking.
“We had not much wind this morning which was nice. I’d love myself a later tee time tomorrow.”
Lowry was a shot behind early leader Brandon Robinson-Thompson as Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy set off with second-ranked Marco Penge.
“I think I did everything pretty well,” he added. “I hit a lot of good putts in the middle of back nine and nothing really fell for me.
“Just happens sometimes, and I’m happy I’m going to go back and chill out and watch some golf in the afternoon and go out tomorrow and give it a go.”
He planned to watch McIlroy play a few holes but admitted there was little he could learn given they play a different game.
“No, no, no. Rory plays the golf course different than I do. Not many notes I can take on him.”
