Flying nicely under the radar after the opening day at the Masters, Shane Lowry believes patience is key to remaining in contention throughout the remaining three days at Augusta National.
The Offaly native is one of just 26 golfers to shoot under par in difficult course conditions in Thursday's opening round as he posted a well-earned one-under 71 to sit in a share of 11th place ahead of Friday’s second round.
All the pre-tournament talk was based around two players; world number one and two Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, and while it was former major winner Justin Rose who set the early pace, shooting a remarkable seven-under 65, the two main protagonists made quite the impact.
Defending champion Scheffler put his early-season form behind him by looking incredibly comfortable and composed out early on Thursday to post a statement four-under par, while McIlroy was matching him right up to the 15th green when a birdie opportunity turned into a double bogey – another followed on 17 as the County Down man eventually signed for a level-par 72.
As for Lowry, it was a slow and slightly edgy start to his quest to become the first Irishman to land a green jacket, driving his opening shot into the trees and finding sand on the second.
Par was saved on both but it was the putter that let him down on the third as he threw away a shot as a result of a three-putt on the short par four, missing a three-footer to move over par.
It would take a 30-foot birdie putt on the next hole to get Lowry back level, however, the driving woes were again in evidence on the next hole as he had to chip out of the trees leaving him with a 150-yard approach with another dropped shot potentially looming.
Lowry came into the tournament in fine form and the 2019 Open champion showed why he is one of the best in the world with the short irons as he dialled in on the flag to ensure a tap-in par to remain level par.
The driving remained erratic, however, Lowry’s iron play set up decent birdie opportunities on the seventh, eighth and ninth, converting the latter brace to turn on two under.
A lucky bounce out of the trees from the tough tee shot at ten, however, Lowry would drop a shot after missing the green with his approach.
But after that, Lowry looked very comfortable on the dry, quick Augusta National track and played some excellent golf without getting the rewards, and while the run of six straight pars looked frustrating and bewildering at times.
Lowry would slightly overshoot the 17th, leading to a dropped shot, however, the Clara man showed his quality to play 18 to perfection and ensure that he opened his campaign with an under-par round.
"I felt on the front nine I wasn't playing great and then I turned in two under and felt like I played better on the back nine and didn't really get nothing out of it," said Lowry, speaking at the post-round press conference.
"Then I was fuming walking off the 17th green, to be honest, because I had worked so hard to stay under par and then when I hit my drive off 17, I was like, right where that pin is on 17 and where the pin is on 18, I knew there was going to be two chances on the way in if you could get your drive away.
"It was just the sloppiest bogey of all time. But to birdie the last was nice and to shoot under par was nice.
"I think Justin Rose went a bit crazy today, but this golf course is not giving anything. It's firm and is going to play tough over the next few days."
There was a moment of concern for Lowry early in the round as he looked to have hurt his wrist chopping out of the trees on the first hole. The shot turned out to be incredible as he found the green, and thankfully he was able to continue untroubled.
"It was more shock than anything," said Lowry. "It did hurt. I thought of it before I hit it, but I didn't think anything of it. I didn't even see where the ball ended up. It was a great shot.
"I have had a little bit of wrist trouble, but old age trouble more than anything. I was a little bit worried, but it was OK."
Looking ahead to the second round, Lowry is out early (3.15pm, Irish time) and will be looking to make ground on the leaders, however, patience will remain key as he plans to take it hole by hole in an attempt to be well placed going into the weekend.
"No, you can't do anything around here," said Lowry, when asked had he a target in mind.
"Just take one hole at a time and see what it gives you. I think patience is the key. Like you can be having an average day, and you can make a few birdies in the last few holes and it feels good.
"In major championships, somebody shoots a low score first round every time, no matter how hard the golf course is. The best players in the world are playing it, so if someone is going to get hot and shoot a good score, I'd be interested to see what the scoring does from here."
Lowry was playing in the group behind Rory McIlroy and would have, no doubt, looked on as McIlroy’s round came apart following a slightly overhit chip on the 15th, which ended up in the water.
And Lowry could empathise with his Ryder Cup team-mate after also failing to take advantage of the par five, getting little check on his wedge from just over the water.
"Honestly, it's so firm and fast," said Lowry.
"That 15th green. By Sunday, I don't know what we're going to do to try and stop the ball on the green. It's very, very firm."
