Lowry On Target To End 17-Years & 444 Pro Events Since A First Irish Open

2 months ago by Comments Off on Lowry On Target To End 17-Years & 444 Pro Events Since A First Irish Open

It is 17 years and some three months since a truly over-joyed then amateur Shane Lowry captured the 2009 Irish Open.

Lowry immediately turned professional a day later – 18th May, 2009 – after denying Englishman Robert Rock in a play-off at County Louth.

The proud Irishman has since contested 444 events as a pro including this week’s Amegan Irish Open and now with a round to play at Trump Doonbeg and the 39-year-old Lowry heads to the final day leading by an impressive four shots at 16-under-par following a ‘delayed’ third round 65 that included six birdies in his five-under 65.

Delayed?   Yes, golf’s ‘moving day’ was delayed when the sight of a pair of USA Marine helicopters and one with USA President Donal Trump on board.

And in a remarkable likeness, Lowry heads into the final round on the windblown Irish west coast leading by four shots and also at 16-under as he had done on that final day on May 17th, 2009.

Lowry kick-started day three of the 2026 Irish Open three strokes ahead but was caught at the summit by playing partner Jacob Skov Olesen as they reached the turn at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, Doonbeg, Ireland.

There had been the delay of a pair of giant US Marine helicopters fly over the course owned by the US President ahead of Lowry stamping his own presence on the back nine, combining birdie putts with a series of clutch par saves to go four clear at the summit and reach 16 under par with a 65 that contained six birdies and a single bogey.

Olesen was Lowry’s nearest challenger on 12 under after carding an eagle and three birdies on the front nine before making eight straight pars and a closing bogey.

With President Trump now looking on, Lowry and Jacob Skov Olesen opened up a big gap between themselves and the chasing pack, with their next closest competitor Joaquin Niemann on nine under.

Lowry said: “Any time you play links golf in 15, 20-mile-an-hour winds – and it got a little cold at the end there – it’s going to be hard and you’re going to have some testers for pars.

“I felt like I did a great job today of just staying in the moment and playing my own game.

“I had so much fun out there on the back nine. The crowds were incredible. They cheered me on the whole way home and hopefully will do the same tomorrow.

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow. Final group, leading my home tournament, it’s a nice place to be and, yeah, it should be fun.”

Speaking about making nine single putts on the back nine, he added: “I’m normally the one watching other people do it, so why not me sometimes? It’s nice to know I’m seeing my lines well and starting the ball where I want and they’re going in and hopefully that stays that way for another 24 hours.”

 



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