The Open: Ireland’s Shane Lowry wins first major golfing title
Written by News on 22/07/2019
Ireland’s Shane Lowry has won his first major golfing title at the British Open.
The 32-year-old held on through a wet and windy day at Royal Portrush to beat England’s Tommy Fleetwood by six strokes.
The heavy rain and blustery conditions had prompted tee times to be brought forward.
Lowry, who looked understandably nervous at times, took a four-shot lead into the final round and overcame a shaky start to extend his advantage.
Following his emphatic triumph on the 18th hole, Lowry hugged his caddie Brian “Bo” Martin before being embraced by wife Wendy and two-year-old daughter Iris.
In emotional scenes during the 158th championship, a sellout crowd cheered Lowry on after every shot.
He has become the fifth Irish player to lift the Claret Jug – following in the footsteps of Fred Daly, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy.
Lowry finished 15 under par – while Fleetwood, the only player who managed to apply any semblance of pressure on him, wrapped up the tournament nine under par. America’s Tony Finau was third.
It was a disappointing result for world number one Brooks Koepka, who was attempting to become the first player in the modern era to finish in the top two in all four majors of a calendar year.
In the end, he had to share fourth place with Lee Westwood.
This is the first time that a British Open has been held in Northern Ireland since 1951.
Sky News correspondent Ian Woods, who is at Royal Portrush, said: “Fantastic for him – and fantastic for everyone who was here as well.
“It was going to be very difficult for anyone to catch him.”
(c) Sky News 2019: The Open: Ireland’s Shane Lowry wins first major golfing title
