[PHOTO: Kevin C. Cox]

In what must be seen as a something of a victory for art over science, old-school over new, subtlety over strength, Shane Lowry lit up the opening day of the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon. In conditions that befuddled many and bemused most of the rest, the Irishman nipped round the blustery Ayrshire links in five-under-par 66. It was quite the score – second only to Englishman Dan Brown’s 65 – on a day when more than a few of golf’s luminaries shot themselves out of contention early. As many as 12 members of the 157-strong field failed to break 80, a list that includes five former Open champions.

Five birdies dotted Lowry’s bogey-free card, his shot making a glorious mix of the sort of ball flights and spin control that are so often sadly absent from so much of elite golf in the 21st century. As it was an initial step towards what could be a second Open victory for the two-time Ryder Cup player, so it was a step back in time for golf, in how his score was accumulated.

Lowry did make a few putts too, of course, a fact he was far from denying between smiles during a “dinner time” post-round visit to the media centre. But amid the obvious pleasure, there was also realism. More than once this experienced campaigner dipped into cliché, emphasising that there are 54 holes to play: “It doesn’t matter how I played today if I don’t play well over the next three days.

“I watched a lot of golf this morning and I saw that the golf course was not playing easy,” he continued. “Just tried to go out and play my game and hit some good shots and hole a few putts, and I did that.”

Still, a crucial part of Lowry’s success might just be his visit to Troon two weeks earlier. On consecutive days he “saw” the links play in the wind that prevailed over the practice days this week, then the breeze that sprang up for the first round. It was invaluable knowledge.

“I saw the golf course in every wind possible I could see it,” he confirmed. “I guess that was a good thing to do, and it’s out there paying off a little bit today. I know I can deal with bad weather. But even if it is quite windy, you need to be striking the ball very good. It doesn’t matter whether you like it, or it’s your favourite thing to play in. If you’re not striking the ball good, you’re not going to be in control of your ball.”

It’s safe to say Lowry accomplished all of the above, five years on from his similarly dominating performance over 72 holes at Royal Portrush. Art one, science nil.

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