Shane Lowry is well positioned to make a run at a second Open Championship title after a stellar first round five-under-par 66.

The Offaly man, who won the event back in 2019, carded five birdies and no bogeys in the opening round and is just one shot off England's Daniel Brown.

“It was enjoyable," Lowry said after the round.

READ MORE: Shane Lowry backed to last distance at The Open but Offaly man not getting carried away

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“I got off to a bit of an iffy start and holed a couple of nice par putts early on and then I was off and running.

“I try not to think about it [2019] too much now. I holed a putt to go into the lead and I thought ‘It’s the first time I’ve led The Open in five years’.

“No matter what I do that week in Portrush will always have a special place in my heart. I love that place and I love this tournament.”

But Lowry will have a quick turnaround tomorrow having a teed-off on Thursday afternoon and will be back out on the course at 9.47 am and will play alongside Cameron Smith and Matthew Fitzpatrick.

It was a tough day for the Irish on Day One at Royal Troon with Rory McIlroy carding a seven-over-par 78 as he effectively ruled himself out of contention. McIlroy was joined by amateur Liam Nolan on the same score.

Two-time champion Padraig Harrington will be happy with his day's work as he sits in a tie for 31st after carding a one-over par 72 while Tom McKibbin is a further shot behind. Darren Clarke has also left himself plenty to do after carding a six-over-par opening round.

Irish in action on Day Two

08:36 Dean Burmester (SA), Darren Clarke (NI), JT Poston (US)

09:03 Padraig Harrington (Ire), Matthew Jordan (Eng), Davis Thompson (US)

09:47 Matthew Fitzpatrick (Eng), Shane Lowry (Ire), Cameron Smith (Aus)

10:53 Kazuma Kobori (NZ), (a) Jaime Montojo (Spa), (a) Liam Nolan (Ire)

11:47 Tom McKibbin (NI), (a) Calum Scott (Sco), Alexander Noren (Swe)

15:10 Tyrrell Hatton (Eng), Max Homa (US), Rory McIlroy (NI)

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