It had been a while since Shane Lowry produced a brilliant moment on the biggest stage. His highlight reel is as good as anybody’s.
2025 had been a frustrating year for Lowry. Sure, there were hole out eagles, chip ins, putts holed from different post codes and another hole in one to add to an already iconic roll of honour which includes Pebble, Sawgrass and Augusta. But he just couldn’t break down the door and clinch that elusive tour victory.
Golf is a mind boggling sport. On the 18th green at Bethpage Black on Sunday night, the Offaly man stood over a putt which was of the length which he doesn’t hole enough of. One or two more and he would have ended his trophy drought of three years.
Yet you just knew he would get it. This was a moment made for him.
Streaky putters are dangerous, especially in matchplay. At this stage Lowry had birdied 15, 16 and made par on 17 to keep his match with Russell Henley alive at 1DN.
Needing to birdie the last, Lowry produced the goods. Henley, regarded as one of the best putters in the game hit a woeful putt under the pressure while his opponent stood up tall and rammed it in.
Ryder Cup payment scandals dominated the pre-contest agenda with the USA alleging that their few bucks would be going to charities of their choice and back into their local communities.
At the last knockings on Sunday night, Lowry showed what the Ryder Cup and what sport is all about. Just look at his face. Expressions that money can’t buy.
Irish golf has an amazing history in the Ryder Cup. Irish golf has had a magnificent year and has bookended the golfing season with two famous moments that will live long in the memory. As a small nation we continue to punch above our weight.
Irish hands were all over Europe’s previous four victories while Christy O’Connor Jr and Paul McGinley had their own match winning moments on home soil.
But Lowry joins Eamonn Darcy and Philip Walton on the list of Irish golfers to secure winning putts on US soil and continues Ireland’s iconic association with Ryder Cup folklore.
A lover of GAA, Offaly and Clara, Lowry always dreamed of following in his fathers footsteps and winning All-Irelands for the Faithful County. His wild celebration on the 18th green evoked memories of those images of the famous Offaly team who stopped Kerry way back when.
The overwhelming joy of a man who longed to be involved in team sports. Team golf is such a rare thing which makes the player reactions so much better.
The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black was Rory McIlroy’s chance to cement his legacy. After winning the grand slam in April, the Northern Irishman had his heart set on winning an away tie for the first time since 2012 – a team he was part of in Medinah.
It’s been the perfect year for McIlroy.
But Lowry’s legacy as an absolute Irish sporting legend has now been sealed. A 2019 Open Championship winner on Irish soil at Royal Portrush and now the most famous of famous putts in New York.
Lowry is someone who doesn’t win as much as his ability suggests that he should. But nobody can argue that he hasn’t had an absolutely wonderful career.
Playing in his third successive Ryder Cup, all coming as a wildcard selection, Lowry has fully moulded into the Ian Poulter role who also had great successes as a captain’s pick during his career.
He is the heartbeat of the European dressing room. Poulter had his crowning moment on Saturday night in Medinah with five birdies in the last five holes. Well, Lowry wrote his own chapter in this iconic biennial contest. Four birdies in the last five holes including 18 sealed the most precious half point that he had been waiting half of his life for.
Needing just 2.5 points from twelve singles matches. Lowry was sent out in the eighth match and would have been forgiven for thinking he was going to be late to the party with his later tee time.
Little did he know he would be the one to get the part started.
Because no party really begins without the life and soul of it right?
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