Written 2 years ago by Will O'Callaghan

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Shane Lowry is eight off the pace after his opening round at the Shell Houston Open in Texas.

It’s the Clara man’s final tournament before next week’s US Masters.

Lowry is level-par after a round of 71 that featured one birdie, one bogey and sixteen pars.

Charley Hoffman is leading by one-stroke on 8 under par with Dustin Johnson, Roberto Castro, Scott Brown and Morgan Hoffman leading the chase.

Padraig Harrington, who needs to win the tournament in order to gain entry into his 16th US Masters, is in a tie for 106th place on one-over par.

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