Shane Lowry has been left smiling that the constant noise of Delhi traffic is much easier to handle than an abusive New York Ryder Cup crowd as he rattled off eight birdies to take the lead on the opening day of the India Championship.

The Irishman, playing with European captain Luke Donald and team-mate Tommy Fleetwood, hit a hot streak with five successive birdies on the back nine on Delhi Golf Course against the background noise of the honks and horns of the capital's incessant road network on Thursday.

Lowry's bogey-free eight-under 64 saw him overtake long-time clubhouse leader Keita Nakajima by a stroke.

"It was a really nice group, playing with Luke and Tommy," said Lowry, who holed the putt to retain the Ryder Cup at Bethpage.

"We all had a great time and we all played pretty g

See Full Page