Lowry makes flying start in Abu Dhabi

Shane Lowry has made a flying start on day one of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship as he equalled the course record score of 62.

The Irishman, who is playing in his first tournament since the World Cup of Golf in November, recorded 10 birdies and no dropped shots, as he moved onto 10-under-par for the tournament, three shots clear of the chasing pack.

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The round of 62 also equalled Lowry’s career-best score, which he previously set en route to winning the Irish Open in 2009.

It could have been even better for Lowry as he left a 15-foot birdie putt short at the last, although that was only a minor disappointment for the 31-year-old, who was delighted with his overall performance.

“I’m obviously over the moon, it equals the best score I’ve ever shot,” Lowry told reporters. “I knew that, as well, and I said it to my caddie coming down the last that a birdie here would be the best score I’ve ever shot, and he just told me to go for it.

“I left the putt short but I felt like I hit a decent putt, it was just a bit more into the grain than I felt, but obviously I’m very chuffed.”

A group for four players sit in second-place on seven-under, including South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen, while rounds of 66 have moved English duo Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter into contention a shot further back.

World number two World Brooks Koepka is five shots off the lead on five-under, while Dustin Johnson and defending champion Tommy Fleetwood are two strokes further back after carding rounds of 69.