Morikawa, Hovland tie the lead as Lowry struggles at Hero World Challenge

Collin Morikawa and Victor Hovland are among those tying the lead at the Hero World Challenge, while Shane Lowry struggled in the opening round at Albany GC.

Lowry finds himself in a tie for 15th in a 20-strong field in the Bahamas, after an opening round marred by two double bogeys, on the 10th and 16th holes.

The 2019 Open champion had earlier dropped a stroke on the 7th, his double at the 10th dropping him to 3-over par. Lowry rallied with birdies on 11, 14 and 15 before a wretched tee shot resulted in another double at 16.

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He finished the opening round at the Tiger Woods run event on 2-over par, after a 74.

There's a four-way tie at the top of the field, with two-time major winner Morikawa joined by European Ryder Cup star Hovland being joined by Sepp Straka and Joo-Hyung Kim all on 3-under par after carding rounds of 69.

Sam Burns, who was in such a hot streak early in 2022, sits one stroke further back on 2-under. Cameron Young, Tommy Fleetwood and Max Homa all posted rounds of 71 to sit on even par.

Both reigning Masters champion Scottie Scheffler and current PGA champion Justin Thomas are on even par, alongside Tony Finau.

Below Lowry, Jordan Spieth props up the field after posting an opening 76.