Open leader Lowry inspired by coffee pep talk with coach

Shane Lowry's revealed that a lengthy sit down with his coach helped restore his confidence ahead of shooting a four-under-par opening round 67 at The Open. 

The Offaly man had five birdies and just one bogey around Royal Portrush and is sitting pretty at the top of the leaderboard.

Lowry admits he was feeling a little "uneasy" about his game heading into the final major of the year and met his coach Neil Manchip for a chat on the eve of the tournament.

"I don't feel like practice went unbelievably well this week, I felt a little bit uncomfortable," said the Clara native. "So I went to coffee with Neil down at the Bushmills Inn, found a little quiet room, and we had a great chat for about 40 minutes.

"I left that room full of confidence and ready to go. So we just put everything out in the open, everything out on the table, what could happen, what might happen.

"To be honest, I really was feeling a bit uneasy about this week, I'm not going to lie. It was just a great chat. Look, obviously it would be great to do well this week and great to contend, but it's not the end of the world if it doesn't happen.

"I was quite anxious going out there this morning. The wind was up early, but the first few holes played okay, downwind, and I got off to a nice solid start. And I was off and running and I was enjoying myself. And I played some good golf.

"I missed a couple of chances coming in. But I got a great break, and a good up and down on 16, great break on 17, and managed to make par. I'm fairly happy with four under. It's a great score on that course and I'll take it any day."