Rónán MacNamara in Portrush
Shane Lowry admits he has a greater appreciation for what he achieved at Royal Portrush in 2019 after he entertained a fervent home crowd with a six birdie round of 66 to end a difficult week on a high.
It had been a miserable week for Lowry before he teed off on Sunday after suffering a very harsh two-shot penalty on Friday night before being struck down with a stomach virus just hours later. But he revelled in a carnival atmosphere with the highlight of his birdies coming on the 4th where he holed out from 183 yards with a 7-iron before reeling off three on the bounce from the 7th.
The 2019 champion golfer of the year almost brought the house down when his chip from left of the 18th green rattled the flagstick but he tapped in for par and lapped up a hero’s reception as he disappeared underneath the grandstand.
“It’s funny what you think about when you’re out there, but I thought of Justin Rose while I was over that chip shot and what he did at Birkdale. I thought that would have been pretty cool to finish like that, and I almost did,” Lowry laughed.
“Look, it was nice today. I got off to a nice start. The crowds are amazing. They got behind me the whole day. Yeah, it was probably one of the most enjoyable rounds of golf I’ve had in a while. I’m happy I finished like that, and I’ll drive down the road a little bit happier than maybe I would have been.
“I’ve thought about it a bit. I’m very lucky to achieve what I did in 2019. I never dwell on it, and I don’t want to live off it, but to be able to go out and win this tournament on this course was a really cool thing to do.
“It probably made me want it too much this week. I really wanted to give myself a chance this week.”
The Open Championship has been played at Royal Portrush twice in six years having previously been contested in 1951. Lowry may get another opportunity to revel in the home crowds on the island of Ireland and he is dreaming of winning a Claret Jug in Portmarnock, just half an hour from his home.
“Yes, it’s [Portrush] incredible. Darren [Reynolds] and I were talking about it on the course. It’s like watching it on the TV last evening how great the place looks. Obviously the nice weather helps. I think the feedback from players, from everyone involved is how much they liked this tournament, how much they liked this venue.
“As regards Portmarnock, I’ve heard they’re talking about it. I’ve heard they might go there. It would be amazing, 30 minutes from my house. I’d be able to stay at home and play in an Open. It’s one of the best golf courses in the world. I think it’s good enough to host an Open, and hopefully it will soon.
“It’s great. I obviously travel the world and I live in America, and everybody I talk to wants to come to Ireland and play golf. People sitting at home in the states or all around the world watching this tournament on TV, it’s going to make them want to come even more.
“It’s great to have tournaments like this here. It’s great that we’ve got players that are in the tournaments and competing and competing well in it too.”
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