Shane Lowry would not saying anything but he was clearly in some discomfort in posting a disappointing 73 on the third day of the BMW PGA Championship.
Lowry started the round level with Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn on 10-under par but quickly found himself two in front in the European Tour’s flagship event when the Dane doubled the opening hole on the West Course.
However in the later stages of his round the Dubliner was observed rushing to an on-course toilet at the 15th and then again at the 17th and also on the 18th tee before ending with a round of 73 to fall back into third place on nine under par.
Shane Lowry rushing to the toilet during the third round of the BMW PGA. (Exclusive Photo – Stuart Adams/www.golftourimegaes.com)
And while Stuart Adams of www.golftourimages.com captured the above shot of Lowry running to a toilet the double Tour winner did not mention any concern after handing in his scorecard.
Unfortunately his discomfort on day three of the Tour’s flagship event has seen Lowry lose sight of capturing the BMW PGA and also earning an automatic place in next month’s U.S. Open.
Hereunder is Lowry’s comments following his round.
“I just felt a bit flat out there today. It was tough. Trying not to look at score boards and next thing I knew, I was two ahead ‑‑ I had done okay. I haven’t been there for a while.
“Thomas is six ahead of me going into tomorrow but this course, anything can happen. Hopefully I can get off to a good start. I just have to go and see what I can do. Be nice to contend and nice to give myself a chance going into the back nine tomorrow. Would have been nice to hole that putt on the last. Just the difference; he misses, I hole it and all of a sudden it’s only four but that’s just the way it goes.
“Disappointed, 1‑over, but could have been a lot worse. I didn’t play great today. Hit some poor drives. Just didn’t feel comfortable out there. My alignment felt a bit off and just didn’t feel that comfortable, simple as that.
“A couple of putts, I mean, I didn’t really hole much, which is another thing. But I made a couple of great saves on 16 and a nice up‑and‑down for birdie on 17. I can’t really complain. I actually didn’t play that great today. 3‑putt on 8 was a shocker, like that was awful.
“I had a great save on 11 after an awful second shot. You know, I wasn’t just as mentally switched on as I have been. Hitting that shot in left of the flag is just a bit silly there and missing that green long left.
“But missing the drive on the next, just wasn’t really firing on all cylinders. But I still have half a chance and if you’d have given me this position going into tomorrow on Wednesday, I would have taken your hand off, so I can’t really complain.”
