World Challenge: There was little to choose between the 18 players in the World Challenge’s elite field deep into the first round at Sherwood Country Club in California last night, but it was Graeme McDowell and Keegan Bradley Day who posted the clubhouse target with three-under-par 69s.

McDowell, one of only two Europeans in the field along with Ian Poulter, bogeyed the 14th which undermined back-to-back birdies from the 10th but he finished strongly with birdies at 17 and 18.

Keegan Bradley, using his soon to be outlawed belly putter, also had four birdies and a bogey in his round.

European Tour: Shane Lowry’s sublime seven iron to the 11th hole on the final day of the Portugal Masters has earned him the European Tour Shot of the Month for October. The shot holed out for an eagle two which helped the 25-year-old Offalyman secure his first European tour win as a professional.