Shane Lowry was joking when he hopes he does not come under the watchful eye of a long-time good friend and now DP World Tour referee Michael Hoey.

Hoey, 43, has won eight times in his pro career including five wins on the DP World Tour but is hanging up his clubs for a Golf Rules book.

The Belfast golfer competed in 308 events capped with his two-shot victory over Rory McIlroy at the 2011 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and won Euro 588,000 of his near Euro 4m in prize money.

“I’ve known  ‘Hoe- dog’ for a long time and he’s had a great career, and he’s a very impressive golfer and it’s kind of sad to see him retiring but I wish him all the best in going forward now in this new role”, said Lowry.

“I’m sure I will see him out there and I hope I am not looking for a ruling from him (smiling)”.

Read full story of Hoey’s new golfing challenge – https://irishgolfer.ie/latest-golf-news/2022/02/23/michael-hoey-retires-to-take-up-new-role-as-dp-world-tour-referee/