Abu Dhabi …. Shane Lowry has been deemed ‘no case to answer’ by the European Tour over an incident at the final hole during Friday’s second round of the Abu Dhabi ‘HSBC’ Championship.
Lowry, as the defending champion, bogeyed the closing two holes to complete his 36-holes in level par and in the process miss the halfway cut by a shot in the UAE capital.
Shane Lowry blasting his ball from under the lip of an 18th hole bunker during the second round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship (Photo – Getty/European Tour)
The Irish golfer was playing the last hole when he leaked a 3-wood right into a greenside bunker and then in playing a third shot, Lowry’s ball embedded in the wall of the bunker and right under the grass lip of the bunker.
Lowry then chose to play a fourth shot standing on the grass verge but then it playing what was now a fourth shot, his ball only managed to advance a few feet.
The Open Champion showed his somewhat disgust in slamming his wedge into the bunker but soon realising his actions by using his wedge to repair any damage.
In fact, an inspection of the grass verge of the bunker revealed no damage to that portion of the bunker.
There were a few observers, and just a few, who believed Lowry’s actions was not in the spirit of the game and possibly the Tour should bring the matter to Lowry’s notice.
However, both Tournament Director, Miguel Vidador and Tour Chief Referee, Andy McFee said Lowry’s actions did not warrant taking any further steps.
“Everyone knows Shane is one of the nicest and more sincere guys competing out here on the Tour, and he’s not the person to be showing anger or taking to the course with a golf club,” said Vidador.
“You could see Shane was striving to get the par he needed to continue over the four days and it just didn’t happen.
“No, Shane has no case to answer and there will be no need to speak to him or whatever as there was nothing untoward.”
Lowry wasted little time heading the short drive north late Friday to Dubai and is believed to be at the Emirates Club, and host venue for Thursday’s starting Omege Dubai Desert Classic, working on his game.
