Shane Lowry is in contention at the CJ Cup, only three shots off the lead after round one in South Carolina.
Lowry shot a first round 68 to sit on -3 in tied 15th at the Congaree Golf Club - but ran into a spot of bother at the ninth hole.
The Offaly man did some damage to his putter at the ninth and, though it didn't slow him overall, it did affect his putting somewhat on the back nine, and a replacement was in order.
With the PGA Tour's equipment trucks having already shipped off to next week's event in Bermuda, Lowry made the choice to trek to the nearest superstore to replace his putter ahead of Friday's second round.
Shane Lowry forks out for replacement putter
Shane Lowry is well in contention for a second win of the year, and the $1.89 million winner's prize will be enticing to the entire field in South Carolina.
Lowry made a slight dent in any potential winning purse on Thursday evening. After his first round, he drove an hour in his golf gear to the PGA Tour Superstore in Bluffton to replace the putter he had busted on the ninth hole.
Accidentally broke my putter on the 9th hole today…Hour drive to get a replacement. Thanks to the staff at the PGA Tour Superstore in Bluffton for their help. ☘️ pic.twitter.com/9hpfhDtg1J
— Shane Lowry (@ShaneLowryGolf) October 20, 2022
Lowry said that the story of breaking his putter was a "long one but was an accident" in a reply to a fan.
He also revealed that, despite his status as one of the world's best golfers, there were no freebies or discounts handed out at the store, with the replacement putter and equipment costing him just under $260.
— Shane Lowry (@ShaneLowryGolf) October 20, 2022
Shane Lowry remains in contention ahead of the weekend, and will hope that a new putter will only bring him closer to the top of the leaderboards.
Rory McIlroy will enter Friday's round just one shot off the lead on -5, while fellow Irishman Seamus Power is one shot ahead of Lowry on -4, just two shots off the lead.
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