Lowry leads the way at Hilton Head

Ireland’s Shane Lowry was delighted with his all-round golf game – especially his driving – after he shot a bogey-free 65 to lead the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head by a stroke (Lowry 16/1 – Outright Winner).

Lowry missed just one fairway at Harbour Town and that is a significant improvement for a player who has struggled off the tee all year.

“I’ve struggled off the tee quite a bit this year, and I managed to find a new driver that I like,” Lowry said. “So I hit that pretty good, and when you do that on par-fives, it always gives you a chance.”

Trey Mullinax, Daniel Berger, Luke List and Ryan Moore are all just a shot behind after 66s, while Seamus Power, 2013 winner Graeme McDowell, and world number one Dustin Johnson are all on three-under par (Johnson 5/1 Outright Winner).

“I’m chuffed because my golf has not been great as of late,” said Lowry, who missed his fourth cut of the season at the Masters.

“I came here this week without much expectation. I just went out and tried to enjoy myself and played lovely.”

Meanwhile McDowell is just happy to be competing again after he regained his PGA Tour card when he ended a three-year winless streak in the Dominican Republic last month.

“It’s lifted a huge weight off my shoulders,” said McDowell.

Odds subject to change.