Shane Lowry entertains Dubai crowd with first-round highlight reel

Shane Lowry showed exactly why he is a Major champion with a first round full of brilliant shots at the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

The World Number 26 arrived at Emirates Golf Club in a rich vein of form after being in contention at last week's Dubai Invitational until his 72nd hole.

A double bogey at the last saw his one-shot lead turn into a deficit as Nacho Elvira took advantage, but the Irishman showed no ill-effects from the late slip-up as he powered to an opening-round 70 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

With five birdies and three bogeys to sit five shots adrift of clubhouse leader Francesco Molinari, we look at three standout shots from Lowry produced during his first round in Dubai.

Slam dunk denied

Lowry is known for his immaculate iron play and he proved too precise at the 13th as he was denied this slam dunk. How unlucky!

Cart path? No problem

He showcased his wonderful ball-striking at the fifth, with a stunning second shot into the green at the par-four fifth from the cart part to salvage par.

The unlikeliest birdie of day one

The 2019 Open Championship winner saved the best until the (second) last with an extremely unlikely birdie at the eighth to help him climb up to two under for the day.