It’s that time of year again and we’re in the thick of it…
First golf major of the year. Time to dust off the old Shane Lowry/Father Fintan Stack thing Des…hope you're well. pic.twitter.com/MQumKPyz6U
— Danny Darcy/Galway 🇯🇴 (@dannydarcy72) April 7, 2017
It was all going so well for Lowry.
Having been within two shots of the lead on Day One, Lowry signed for a second round 79 and is on the brink of missing The Masters cut at +7.
Shane Lowry looks set to miss #themasters cut as he cards a 79 to finish +7
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) April 7, 2017
Lowry had a fine start to the US Masters at Augusta National, last night, but it could have been so much better.
The Offaly native was one of a mere handful of elite golfers that handled tricky playing conditions that included strong, shifting winds and chilly temperatures. He climbed as high as joint second by going to -2 with four holes to play.
There were dropped shots, though, at 15 and 16 to bring him back to level.
Having bogeyed the fearsomely tough 15th – with a pin condition that flummoxed most – Lowry was looking to get back on track at the next hole. Playing partner Lee Westwood stuffed his 7-iron to within five feet on the hole and Lowry, who had an ace on the Par 3 last year, stepped up.
The winds altered as soon as he played his 7-iron approach and, as it plonked on the top shelf of an undulating green, TV microphones picked up his most Irish of curses:
“Feck…
“Oh, you’re shitting me! My God.”
Lowry was rattled by the tee-shot and ended up three-putting for consecutive bogeys. As he withdrew his ball from the hole, he tossed it backwards into the nearby lake, eliciting some jeers and cheers from the galleries.
He parred out over the closing two holes for a first round of 72 but he will be aware that it could have been two or three shots better, and closer to overnight leader Charley Hoffman.
Seriously difficult conditions today, incredibly windy.
Everything considered, great rounds by @ShaneLowryGolf and @McIlroyRory— Desmond McGoldrick (@desmond820) April 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/sprussell1958/status/850134654405443584
Some serious golf from day 1 @TheMasters Anyone on level par are still in with a shout including @ShaneLowryGolf & @McIlroyRory #themasters
— Mick Delahunty (@mickdela) April 6, 2017
Augusta National bit back on Friday and Lowry will be lucky to stick around for the weekend.
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