Shane Lowry is expecting tougher conditions for his second round at the Players Championship in Sawgrass today.
Lowry is just two behind leader Jason Day on seven under – after a stunning back nine on the opening day.
Lowry was level par halfway through his opening round of the so-called “fifth major” before storming home in a tournament-record 29 shots.
29. 💯
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 12, 2016
Shane Lowry is the first player to break 30 on the back nine @TPCSawgrass. pic.twitter.com/KR2WknB2ex
Lowry credited fellow Irishman Graeme McDowell with putting him in the right frame of mind.
I hadn’t much confidence coming into this week,” he explained afterwards.. “I actually got a little putting tip from Graeme McDowell yesterday when we played nine holes and it seemed to help.
Shane Lowry said his swing didn't feel right this week. Got a tip from Graeme McDowell. Felt better. Shot 29 on the back for a 7-under 65.
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelESPN) May 12, 2016
“I felt like I putted quite nicely. Even though I was only level after nine I was playing nicely. I missed a couple of putts for birdies but I was burning the edges.
“So it was nice to be hitting good putts for a change. And nice to shoot a great score on the back nine and a great score overall.”
McDowell, Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy are all level par.
Lowry starts later today and knows that his tee time could make a difference.
“Around this golf course, you just need to be patient,” he said. “Obviously there’s a lot of guys going low today; the greens are quite receptive.
“But I imagine they’re going to firm up and I’m not off ‘til late tomorrow afternoon. Between now and tomorrow afternoon, I imagine they’re going to be a lot firmer.
He added: “It’s just important to stay patient. Pick off your birdies where you can and when you get in trouble try and make pars.
“That’s the main thing with this golf course; patience is massive.”
