Shane Lowry found himself surprised by European Tour CEO, Keith Pelley ahead of the Open Champion attending a pre-BMW PGA Championship press conference.
As is customary with anyone European Tour capturing a Major they are afforded honourary Life Membership.
“So as has become a custom on the European Tour for all European Tour members that win a major, you receive Honorary Life Membership, and so I’m here to present Shane with his Honorary Life Membership,” said Pelley.
“It was a memorable occasion in Royal Portrush, and I think I speak on behalf of certainly everybody at The European Tour, but the way that everybody reacted globally to your win, on social media, the players, the fans, sponsor, and of
course, your grandmother. It was a spectacular win, and it is a complete delight and privilege to award you with an Honorary Life Membership.”
Shane Lowry afforded honourary Life Membership of the European Tour by Tour CEO, Keith Pelley. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)
Lowry was clearly chuffed to receive the honour
“It means a lot. Thank you. Thanks, Keith,” said Lowry.
“It’s pretty cool, isn’t it. I suppose I never thought, you start playing golf when you’re a kid and you don’t know how good you can be, or even when you started playing as a pro. I didn’t know that I would get to this day but yeah, it’s pretty cool.
“I’ve obviously joined a nice list of names, which is pretty good, as well. It’s just, look, The European Tour, obviously my heart lies with The European Tour. I’ll always be a member. I love coming back and I love playing in events like this. Yeah, it’s an extreme privilege.”
Lowry now joins fellow Irish Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell as honourary Life Members currently competing on the tour.
Full list of European Tour Honorary Life Members
1978 John Jacobs
1978 Bernard Hunt
1978 Dai Rees
1982 Peter Butler
1983 Seve Ballesteros
1983 Tony Jacklin
1985 Sir Henry Cotton
1985 Fred Daly
1985 Max Faulkner
1985 Bernhard Langer
1985 Sandy Lyle
1987 Sir Nick Faldo
1992 Ian Woosnam
1994 José María Olazábal
1995 Bob Charles
1995 Arnold Palmer
1995 Gary Player
1997 Colin Montgomerie
1998 Ernie Els
1999 Paul Lawrie
1999 Greg Norman
2001 Vijay Singh
2002 Retief Goosen
2003 Peter Alliss
2003 Bernard Gallacher
2004 Neil Coles
2004 Christy O’Connor
2004 John Panton
2005 Michael Campbell
2007 Angel Cabrera
2007 Padraig Harrington
2008 Trevor Immelman
2010 Martin Kaymer
2010 Graeme McDowell
2010 Louis Oosthuizen
2010 Tom Watson
2011 Darren Clarke
2011 Rory McIlroy
2011 Charl Schwartzel
2011 Lee Westwood
2012 Luke Donald
2012 Brian Huggett
2012 Tommy Horton
2012 Mark James
2012 Roger Chapman
2013 Dave Thomas
2013 Justin Rose
2014 Jack Nicklaus
2016 Peter Oosterhuis
2016 Danny Willett
2016 Henrik Stenson
2017 Sam Torrance
2017 Sergio Garcia
2018 Francesco Molinari
2019 Patrick Reed
2019 Shane Lowry
