Zander Lombard dropped just a single shot on Thursday in the first round of the DP World Tour’s Horizon Irish Open at The K Club, County Kildare on his way to an opening five-under-par 67 and a share of seventh.
With a packed field including Rory McIlroy and several European Ryder Cup picks and discards, Lombard was two strokes off the lead which was held by India’s Shubhankhar Sharma at seven-under. Sharma’s five birdies and an eagle saw him one clear of five players including Danish veteran Thomas Bjorn. Lombard shared seventh with five other players.
Hennie du Plessis joined McIroy and 17 other players on three-under-par in a share of 27th, while Deon Germishuys was on two-under in a share of 46th. Erik van Rooyen was on one-under, and Thriston Lawrence on level-par. Also on level-par were Louis de Jager, Wilco Nienaber and Oliver Bekker.
Ockie Strydom and Bryce Easton were on two-over-par, while JC Ritche and Daniel van Tonder carded a three-over 75. Justin Walters brought up the rear of the field with his opening six-over 78.
