Shane Lowry wants to give Clara natives reason to get excited

Shane Lowry has set his sights on a second Horizon Irish Open title backed by bus-loads of home fans after making a strong start to a massive month of golf.

Lowry carded seven birdies and three bogeys in an opening 68 to trail clubhouse leader Shubhankar Sharma by three shots on a sweltering opening day at The K Club.

The former Open champion, who was still an amateur when he won the Irish Open in 2009, will defend his BMW PGA Championship title next week and then make his second appearance in the Ryder Cup at the end of September, with Europe seeking to regain the trophy in Rome.

"Take away everything else that's in the next few weeks, this is a big week for me, " Lowry said. "I want to go out there and play well and give myself a chance to win this tournament.

"It's only 45 minutes to an hour from where I'm from in Clara. I want the people to be getting on their buses on Sunday morning to come and watch me try and win this tournament.

"That's all I want this week. It's nothing to do with the Ryder Cup or Wentworth next week or anything.

"This tournament for me is huge. I feel at home here. I live in Florida and I miss home a lot when I'm away. It's nice to be back."

Lowry's 68 was matched by compatriot Mark Power [above], who carded two birdies and an eagle on the 18th in his first start as a professional, as well as Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, while Rory McIlroy returned a 69.

McIlroy, who won the tournament the last time it was staged at The K Club in 2016, started on the back nine and bogeyed his first hole following a wayward drive and penalty drop, but birdied his last two holes to end the day on a high.

Sharma's flawless 65 gave him a one-shot lead over Jordan Smith, Ross Fisher and Ryder Cup vice-captain Thomas Bjorn,