Shane Lowry has won The Open Championship, capturing the hearts of an entire nation in the process.
Heading into today's final round with a four shot lead, the Offaly man was heavy favourite to claim the claret jug. The weather conditions ensured that it was going to be a nervy day, with the wind and rain making low scores hard to come by.
Lowry started his round with a bogey, although he would make up for that error with a birdie on the fourth. Further ones would follow on fifth and seventh, but things would get a bit nervy at this point.
The Irishman would bogey three of the next four holes, including this wayward putt on the ninth.
BACK-TO-BACK BOGEYS FROM LOWRY 😐
Lowry is on -16 now with Fleetwood on -11.
Watch #TheOpen live on Sky Sports The Open or follow online here: https://t.co/OHN23OPuVc pic.twitter.com/nvuEKkirOW— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 21, 2019
As luck would have it, Tommy Fleetwood, his nearest challenger, would also struggle.
After finding the bunker with his tee shot on the par-three 13th, he would play a mesmerising chip out of the hazard to save par. Lowry was back on track.
When he hit a pinpoint approach shot to set himself up for birdie on the 15th, we knew it was his tournament.
This par putt on the 17th meant allowed the Clara man to take it all in as he headed to the final hole.
Almost job done from Shane Lowry... just one hole left!
Watch the final stages of #TheOpen live on Sky Sports The Open or follow online here: https://t.co/OHN23OPuVc pic.twitter.com/B72y7xWN0E— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 21, 2019
Heading down the 18th with a six shot lead, the atmosphere in Portrush was absolutely magical.
Look at that smile #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/Epi6QK5jOS
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 21, 2019
Wow #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/WjNfXYVPiP
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 21, 2019
Lowry is the sixth Irish golfer to win a major championship, and the first since Rory McIlroy in 2014. He will get a nice payday out of it, claiming the £1.56million winner's cheque.
The opportunity to win a major on home soil could be a once in a lifetime opportunity for an Irish golfer, and no matter what he goes on to do in the game, this will be the crowning achievement of Shane Lowry's career.
Considering the setting of the tournament, we do not think it is an exaggeration to say this is one of the greatest days in Irish sporting history.
Hopefully this will be the first of many for Lowry. One thing is for certain, Clara will be absolutely hopping tonight.
