Lowry claims record-breaking Irish Open win
Shane Lowry. Picture: Getty Images
Shane Lowry didn’t just win the Amgen Irish Open; he pummelled the field into submission with a display of front-running that injects new life into his career and puts him right back into the conversation as a man with more Majors in his future.
Bad luck and self-inflicted wounds had left him bereft of individual titles for four years before he ran away with the title on the west Clare coast to return to the world’s top 50 in style and take a giant step towards automatic qualification for next year’s Ryder Cup in Adare.
He was four shots clear overnight, but his rivals never managed to lay a metaphorical glove on him from the moment he brushed in a 16-footer at the opening hole for the first of seven birdies, putting him on the road to a closing 63 and an 11-shot victory in 23-under par.
“I mean, this year has been quite difficult on the course for me. I’ve had a few chances to win, and I had some really tough times,” he said.
“To come here this week and do this like, come on! I don’t know. I just don’t do things by half measures. I can’t believe I’m standing here.
“I said to my caddie after 15, ‘How are we doing? Or how far ahead are we?’ He said, ‘Far enough. ’ A lot of things went right for me. But this has been the most spectacular week. I think everything about it, it’s just mad. I can’t believe it.
“Like my mum’s just standing there. It’s been unreal. My wife and my kids are back in Florida. When things are not going well at this level, it’s hard at home as well.
“But my wife’s been a huge support, and my kids, and I just I love them so much. I’m so happy just for them. I can’t wait to bring a trophy home.
“My daughter’s always asking me when you’re going to bring a trophy home. So yes, I’m going to bring one home. She’s going to be absolutely delighted with that.”
As for adding a second Irish Open to his CV, 17 years after winning as an amateur, he said: “I said to Dermo, walking in the last, obviously, Portrush was incredible. Bethpage last year was incredible, and I keep feeling like I can’t better it.
“I sat in Croke Park last Saturday night watching Katie Taylor with almost a little bit of jealousy about what she was achieving and getting to do it in front of her home fans, and I got to do this week. Like, this is incredible. So yeah, I’m so happy.”
As for his near misses this year, he said: “I’ve had to fight a few demons off over the past few months on the course when you get yourself into contention.
“I did take some time away the last few weeks, I worked pretty hard. I got all my team over to Florida, and we worked hard. And this just shows you what hard work can do.”
Five clear of Danish left-hander Jacob Skov Olesen after the first, he made a 10-footer at the fifth to stretch his lead to seven and a 43-foot monster at the seventh to move eight clear of the Dane and Patrick Reed, who closed with a 64 to finish tied second with Chile’s Joaquin Niemann (67) on 12-under.
He was still eight clear after a birdie at the eighth, and while he bogeyed the ninth to turn for home seven ahead, the back nine was a procession.
A two-putt birdie at the 10th restored his eight-shot lead, but he wanted more and knocked in an eight-footer for a two at the 14th and an outrageous 44-footer from off the green at the 15th to go ten ahead.
After lipping out with a birdie chip at the 16th, he parred the 17th and hit a stunning six-iron to 29 feet at the last before inevitably rolling in the birdie putt to clinch his seventh DP World Tour win with US President Donald Trump observing the mayhem from the stands.
Tom McKibbin tied for fifth on 10-under after a 67 to all but secure his DP World Tour card for 2027, assuming he doesn’t remain with LIV Golf.
Galway’s Liam Nolan was 31st on three-under on his Irish Open debut after a 69, while Rory McIlroy, undone by a third-round 74, was 41st on one-under after a 67.
The world number two mixed an eagle and 15 birdies with eight bogeys and four double bogeys over his four rounds at Doonbeg.
He hasn’t won since he retained his Masters but remains hopeful for the rest of the season as he eyes a fifth Race to Dubai triumph in a row that would see him tie Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight season-long crowns.
“I’ve seen enough good stuff this week to give me encouragement,” said McIlroy, who remains second in the standings behind Reed. “I don’t feel too far away.
“I've got next week, and India. Hopefully, we play two events in the Middle East, so four opportunities to play well and get myself in contention, get myself a little cushion at the top of the Race to Dubai.
“There were a couple of destructive shots, a couple of bad decisions off the tees yesterday, but overall, iron play was a lot better.”
