It was always going to happen.
We take great pride in our sportspeople in Ireland, and we love nothing more than to see them performing to the best of their abilities on a global stage. Unfortunately, this can often lead to others claiming our best as their own.
Shane Lowry is making a charge in the Open Championship and the whole country is behind him. With the event taking place on Irish soil for the first time in 68 years, there would be an added significance should he manage to bring the trophy back to Offaly.
Of course, with the British Open taking place in Ireland, there was always a chance that national identities could become blurred in some quarters.
While Gary Lineker caused some outrage with his description of Rory McIlroy last night, there should be no such confusion with Shane Lowry.
With the 32-year old warming up for his round at Portrush today, the Sky Sports crew began to discuss the significance of a possible Lowry win. Laura Davies would go on to say how lovely it would be for the home fans, and to see a British winner. Ah Laura...
Shane Lowry is winning #TheOpen so he's now British 🤷♂️😂 pic.twitter.com/QywWwDsWlL
— Kane Clarke (@kaneclarke) July 20, 2019
It would be lovely wouldn't it for the home fans, and for us as well because it's nice to see a British winner of The Open.
Americans have been way too dominant recently in these majors.
We're not having that. A slip of the tongue it may have been, but we have been here too many times before.
As you might imagine, her comments have not been well received.
Yep, Laura Davies just called Shane Lowry British. Beyond ignorant.
— Michael McCarthy (@McCarthyMick) July 20, 2019
Shane Lowry the Pride of Kings County 😆. Amazing how when an Irish person is doing well nationality changes to being British. Nothing changes. I think yesterday Shane had a 🇮🇪on his shoes.#TheOpen
— Derek Daly (@Ballygarron55g1) July 20, 2019
The Sky Sports commentator just said it would be great to have a British winner of #TheOpen if Shane Lowry was to win it. Hopefully someone points out to her that Lowry is an Irishman and not in the slightest bit British!
— Kevin Barry (@KevinBarry15) July 20, 2019
Hello @SkySportsGolf, please remind your broadcasters that Shane Lowry is Irish not British. Great coverage otherwise.
— Rob Palmer (@PalmerRob93) July 20, 2019
If Lowry does manage to make history on Sunday, we doubt he will be dedicating his victory to the people of Britain.
