4<\/p>\n Lowry’s pursuit of the Claret Jug isn’t going to planCredit: Getty<\/p>\n However, Lowry’s dreams of becoming the first Irishman to win back-to-back Open<\/a> titles at the same course are starting to fade.<\/p>\n Consecutive rounds of 70 left him two-under par, but he has since a accepted a two-shot penalty to leave him on level par – ten strokes behind leader Scottie Scheffler.<\/p>\n After a bogey-free opening ten holes, Lowry<\/a> lost it on the 11th hole following a wayward tee shot in the torrential rain.<\/p>\n After slamming the ball down into the rough he could be heard shouting as he watched his ball fly off to the left.<\/p>\n In the X-rated rant, he said: “No, don’t go left. F*** off. F*** this place! F****** rain.”<\/p>\n His outburst led Sky Sports commentator Ewan Murray to quickly say: “Sorry about the language slipping through there.”<\/p>\n Things then got worse for Lowry over a rules breach on the very next hole.<\/p>\n The Irishman found himself in the rough again and took a practice swing.<\/p>\n But during his set-up, the ball appeared to slightly move.<\/p>\n 4<\/p>\n Lowry was left in disbelief by his wayward tee shot 4<\/p>\n He is looking to repeat his 2019 heroics at Royal Portrush<\/p>\n This isn’t allowed, and it was confirmed on the TV broadcast that the 2019 Open champion was being looked into.<\/p>\n Lowry didn’t call an infringement on himself, and has now been slapped with the penalty following a video review.<\/p>\n Pressed as to whether he believe the penalty is fair, Lowry said: “A little bit.<\/p>\n “If the ball moved and I caused it to move and it moved, it’s a two-shot penalty.<\/p>\n “The last thing I want to do is sit there and argue and not take the penalty and then get slaughtered all over social media tonight for being a cheat.<\/p>\n “I think they had their decision made (before he reviewed the video). If the ball moved, I would have called it on myself.<\/p>\n “My head was definitely looking down at the ball and I didn’t see it moving. But I’m out there signing for a 72 there now.”<\/p>\n While day one at The Open<\/a> was slow for many players<\/a>, Lowry felt good about his chances after a positive start.<\/p>\n Speaking after finishing hole 18 in front of a packed stand at the end of round one, he said: \u201cYeah, I wasn\u2019t expecting 18 to be full with Rory [McIlroy] out on the course, but the grandstand was full.<\/p>\n \u201cNice reception walking down 18. It was pretty cool. Actually, there\u2019s an extra little bit of pressure on that five-footer (for par to finish the round). It would have been disappointing to miss that.<\/p>\n \u201cThe crowd have been amazing all week. I won the last time here, and I\u2019m trying to use it to my advantage.<\/p>\n “All day, I felt like I handled myself really well. Crowds were amazing. Everything about this tournament has just been great.\u00a0<\/p>\n 4<\/p>\n Lowry’s chasing a shot at history, but he is going to need a perfect final two daysCredit: Getty – Contributor<\/p>\n \u201cI tried to kind of use that as motivation instead of sometimes you can put a bit too much pressure on yourself. I tried to use it in a different way today, and I felt like I did a good job with that.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n You can keep up to date with the rest of The Open on talkSPORT 2.<\/p>\n To tune in to talkSPORT through the website,\u00a0click HERE for the live stream.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Antrim](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-2224953536.jpg\")
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