Walk away eagle gives Shane Lowry share of clubhouse lead in Florida

Ireland's Shane Lowry produced a spectacular finish to his opening round to claim a share of the early clubhouse lead in the Honda Classic on Thursday.

Lowry was level par for the day before holing from 18 feet for birdie on the 17th and then just four feet for eagle on the par-five 18th after a stunning approach over the water from 265 yards.

That gave the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational winner a three-under-par 67 and took him top of the leaderboard alongside Sweden’s David Lingmerth and American George McNeill, who has missed the cut in his last five events and whose last competitive round was an 84 in the Farmers Insurance Open.

“It wasn’t easy,” McNeill told PGA Tour radio after a round containing six birdies, one bogey and a double bogey. “The wind always blows here, it was the opposite direction to what it was in the practice rounds and the pro-am and a little cooler.

“I putted pretty phenomenal, that’s really all I did well. I haven’t made a putt in two years so it kind of felt good! To see them consistently go in, I didn’t expect to make that many, but it was nice.

“Being back in Florida I feel a little more comfortable being back on Bermuda grass and greens. The stuff out west, I have fits out there just because I can’t read it and putt it there. Being back in Florida helps.”

Out on the course, the start of Sergio Garcia’s round was as spectacular as Lowry’s finish, the Ryder Cup star holing his approach to the second from 148 yards for an eagle two.

The world number 19 then holed from six feet for birdie on the par-five third to move into a share of the lead, with playing partner Rickie Fowler a shot behind after birdies on the second and third.

Speaking about his approach to the 18th, Lowry told PGA Tour Radio: “The wind was howling out of the left. It was just a hard three iron and try to not let it go right.

“I was just trying to get it up somewhere on the left side of the green and thankfully it came off straight at the flag and released down to about three feet. It was a nice way to finish.

“I was just happy to shoot under par out there, it’s so tough. It’s very tough mentally, every shot requires a good shot, you don’t get away with any bad shots out there. I am very happy with where I am. I’ve got a long way to go so hopefully I can get a good night’s sleep tonight and get out there tomorrow afternoon and do something.”

Asked if he was playing at the highest level of his career, the three-time European Tour winner added: “Definitely. I feel like I am good enough to compete week in, week out.

“I’ve done okay the start of the year, I’m pretty happy with my first three tournaments and obviously very happy with my round today and looking forward not only to the weekend, but the whole season.

“I’m playing over here a little bit more and going back to Europe and playing. I have a very exciting schedule this year and I’m looking forward to a lot of things.”