Grant steals a bit of Lowry's thunder

“Shadey” characters Stephen Grant and Shane Lowry popped up on TV during the Honda Classic broadcast. Picture via Stephen Grant (twitter.com/soccer2golf)Hosting Shane Lowry in Florida hasn’t done Stephen Grant’s golf game any harm at all.

The Birr native invited his fellow Offaly man to stay with him in Palm Beach Gardens this week and managed to outscore the world No 62 by six shots in a mini event on Thursday before the headed to PGA National to watch Rory McIlroy in action.

Former footballer Grant, who is now a promising professional golfer bidding to break onto out of the world’s big tours, shot a seven under 65 in the opening round of the Golfslinger.com event at The Champions Club in nearby Stuart (scores).

That was good enough for a share of the lead as Lowry - who bought into the tournament for $690 - had to settle for a one under 71 and a share of 17th.

After beating McIlroy and Carl Pettersson before falling to Graeme McDowell in the third round of the Accenture Match Play in Tucson, the Clara man is trying to keep his game sharp ahead his appearance in next week’s Puerto Rico Open next week.

The Offaly duo appear to be having a ball and even made a brief appearance during the TV coverage of the opening round of the Honda Classic.

McIlroy struggled at times but still found the time to salute Lowry as he headed to the 12th tee, eventually carding a level par 70 that left him just inside the cut mark in joint 61st.