Shane Lowry has ugly microphone meltdown during disastrous US Open first round
Not even a microphone was spared during Shane Lowry’s first-round meltdown at the U.S. Open on Thursday.
The Irishman, chasing his first major victory since 2019 at The Open, got off to a rough start at Oakmont Country Club, sitting at 2-over par through seven holes when he reached the drivable par-4 17th hole.
That’s when his frustrations hit a boiling point. Lowry tried to chip his ball out of the thick rough but his ball barely moved and a microphone paid the price.
Things only spiraled from there.
Lowry, who finished at 4-over 39 through the first nine holes, added three bogeys and two double bogeys on his final nine holes.
His highlight of the day was an eagle on the par-4 third hole where he holed out from 160 yards out.
Lowry was considered one of the favorites in the event after he held the 54-hole lead in 2016, the last time the US Open was held at Oakmont.
American J.J. Spaun, who imploded against Lowry’s pal, Rory McIlroy, in a playoff at the Players Championship in March, held a solo lead after shooting a 4-under 66 to close out his first round.
Leading up to this year’s U.S. Open, Lowry was among the chorus of players who vocalized how strenuous playing Oakmont can be.
“It is exhausting,’’ Lowry said earlier this week. “I’m not going to do much else today. Just a lot of rest.”
McIlroy, fresh off completing golf’s Grand Slam after his Masters win in April, said, “It felt impossible.”
The Northern Irishman, who won the U.S. Open in 2011 at the Congressional Country Club, finished with a 4-over 74.
Bryson DeChambeau, the reigning U.S. Open champion, also struggled Thursday and wrapped his opening round at 3-over 73.
