RBC Heritage: Francesco Molinari struggles as Shane Lowry leads the clubhouse

Molinari charted two double bogeys in the back nine of the Masters Round Final and had to settle for part of the fifth

Shane Lowry from Ireland is the clubhouse leader on six substandards during the first round of the RBC Heritage, but Francesco Molinari failed to bounce back from his Masters disappointment.

Molinari had led the final round on Augusta on Sunday, but collapsed nine as Tiger Woods won his 15th big title.

The Italian carded an opening round of three at par 74 in Hilton Head.

Lowry has a one-shot lead over a quartet of Americans.

Northern Ireland & Graeme McDowell is in three places, while England Luke Donald is also in the clubhouse on one of them, a shot for fellow countrymen Tommy Fleetwood and Eddie Pepperell and the American triple big winner Jordan Spieth.

World number one Dustin Johnson is one of many players so far finish their round at South Ca Rolina.