Fresh from a ninth place finish in last week’s US Open, Shane Lowry endured a tricky opening day at the BMW International in Munich.

Lowry finished last weeks tournament on level par, tied with world number one, Rory McIlroy. His performance put him in contention up until the final day, but that form escaped him this afternoon.

Starting on the back nine, he got off to a bright start but three consecutive bogeys from the 14th up to 16th meant he was always going to be playing catch-up.

Eichenreid Golf Club boasts luxurious, wide fairways and putting surfaces that were a world away from Chambers Bay and yet with plentiful birdie opportunities, Lowry couldn’t find his rhythm.

Instead, it was left to Damien McGrane to front the Irish challenge.

McGrane enjoyed a productive afternoon, posting a three-under-par 69 to leave him just four shots off the first day leaders, Spain’s Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Denmark’s Lasse Jensen and England’s Daniel Gaunt.

Elsewhere, Henrick Stenson exorcised his Chambers Bay demons, with a five-under-par 67.

The 2006 champion recovered well after a triple bogey on the 18th and carded eight birdies in his opening round.