Lowry equals Faldo record in qualifying
Ireland's Shane Lowry equalled one of Sir Nick Faldo's records with an eight-under-par 62 at Sunningdale's old course in the first round of qualifying for the Open Championship on Monday.
Lowry, who won last year's Irish Open as an amateur, carded six
successive birdies from the 10th hole onwards to match Faldo's
round during the 1986 European Open.
The 23-year-old, chasing one of 10 spots on offer at St Andrews,
said: "I've been struggling on the greens and confidence was a bit
low, so I changed my putter this morning.
"After nine holes I said to my caddie I'm going to have to be
patient and then a nice 20-footer at 10 kicked me off."
The performance gave Lowry a two-shot halfway lead over
17-year-old Matteo Manassero, who starred at last year's
Open.
The Italian is just a month into his professional career after
finishing in a tie for 13th at Turnberry as the reigning British
amateur champion.
He also came joint 36th at The Masters in April - the best
finish by a European amateur at Augusta for 73 years.
European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie was among the later
starters and was three under at the turn on the same course while,
over on the adjoining New Course, South African James Kingston was
setting the pace after a five-under 65.