Imperious Lowry Lands Maiden Major
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to Golf Monthly Newsletter Newsletter

On a brutal final day at Royal Portrush, Shane Lowry blew the field away to win the Claret Jug by six shots. Neil Tappin looks at the significance of this incredible achievement
Certain sporting victories carry more significance than others. Shane Lowry’s triumph on a brutal final day at the 148th Open Championship at Royal Portrush will resonate far beyond the boundaries of purely sporting circles. From the moment Lowry charged through the field in round three, the island of Ireland rallied together, collectively pushing their man over the winning line. This was a victory for the Emerald Isle, north and south, and the magnitude of the moment was impossible to ignore.
That this was a golf event like no other was glaringly apparent as Shane Lowry entered the 18th hole amphitheatre, six shot lead in tow and the booming roars bellowed out across the Antrim coast. The Irish fans were celebrating one of their own, a natural talent who blew the field away to capture an Open Championship like no other.
From the moment Lowry stepped onto the first tee with a four shot lead and 18 holes left to play, it felt as if the hand of history was resting on the 32 year-old’s shoulder. Of course, winning major sporting events for the first time is never easy and at times Lowry struggled to shake free the nervous shackles that were understandably evident. His opening swing was anxious, uncertain and it led to a bogey that gave the chasing pack genuine hope. But the County Offaly man steadied the ship with two pars and hit back with a birdie on the tough 4th hole and followed it up with a regulation three at the iconic par 4 5th. These were the crucial exchanges that allowed Lowry to put pressure back on the chasing pack, a pressure that ultimately proved too much in strong winds and driving rain.
Shane Lowry What's In The Bag?
If round three was spectacular, Lowry’s final 18 was the definition of determination. His one over par score of 72 might have been his worst of the week but in many ways it was his most impressive. If anyone knows how difficult sleeping on a four shot major lead is, its Lowry himself - he failed to get across the line in the same position at the 2016 US Open. On this occasion, however, his opening bogey simply seemed to narrow his focus, jolting him back into the present. This time, you felt, it was going to be different.
Of course, the other contenders were waging their own war against the Dunluce links and in truth, were unable to exert any real pressure of their own.
Tommy Fleetwood began the round looking like a man with the bit between his teeth. His approach to the opening hole finished closer than anyone. The Englishman’s birdie putt slipped past, and the tone for the day was set for Tommy.
Fleetwood fought well until he reached the relatively benign 14th hole. His 3-wood off the tee finished in the fairway bunker and when his approach buried itself into a mound to the right of the green, the resulting double bogey left Lowry five ahead with just four to play.
When Lowry birdied the 15th to move six clear, the R&A’s engraver-in-residence set to work. The destiny of this year’s Claret Jug was decided.
And so back to those incredible scenes on the 18th green. Holding the trophy aloft, Lowry’s final words at the presentation were left for the crowds who seemed to play a far more tangible role in this win than in any other. “This one’s for you.”
The significance of this comment and the moment itself cannot be underestimated.
In his current role, Neil is responsible for testing drivers and golf balls. Having been a part of the Golf Monthly team for over 15 years and playing off a handicap of 3, he has the experience to compare performance between models, brands and generations. For 2022 he thinks the main trend in drivers is: "In a word, consistency. Whilst all the brands are talking about ball speed (and the new drivers are certainly long), my biggest finding has been how much more consistent the ball flights are. Mishits don't seem to be causing the same level of drop-off or increase in the spin numbers. This means that more shots seem to be flying the way you want them to!" As far as golf balls are concerned the biggest development is in the, "three piece, non-Tour, urethane-covered section. For regular golfers, these models offer superb performance at both ends of the bag without denting your wallet quite as much as the premium Tour-played options."
Originally working with the best coaches in the UK to produce instruction content, he is now the brand's Digital Editor and covers everything from Tour player interviews to gear reviews. In his time at Golf Monthly, he has covered equipment launches that date back well over a decade. He clearly remembers the launch of the Callaway and Nike square drivers as well as the white TaylorMade driver families, such as the RocketBallz! If you take a look at the Golf Monthly YouTube channel, you'll see his equipment videos dating back over a decade! He has also conducted 'What's In The Bag' interviews with many of the game's best players like Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm. Over the years, Neil has tested a vast array of products in each category and at drastically different price-points.
Neil is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus Fairway Wood: Titleist TSR2 Hybrid: Titleist TS3 Irons (4-9): Mizuno JPX 919 Forged Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 46˚, 50˚, 54˚, 60˚ Putter: Odyssey Triple Track Ten Ball: Titleist Pro V1X
-
-
Pebble Beach Pro-Am DFS Picks and Targets
Matt MacKay provides the best DFS picks for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at both FanDuel and DraftKings for this week's stop on the PGA Tour.
By Matt MacKay • Published
-
Best Drivers For Slicers 2023
We take a look at the best drivers that will stop you slicing tee shots
By Neil Tappin • Published
-
Who Is Justin Thomas’ Wife?
The American star married Jillian Wisniewski in November 2022
By Matt Cradock • Last updated
-
Rory McIlroy Gym Routine... Revealed!
In this Rory McIlroy Gym Routine article we discover how the Northern Irishman keeps himself so fit
By Neil Tappin • Published
-
What Is Tiger Woods' Net Worth?
Tiger Woods became the first billion dollar athlete in 2009
By Elliott Heath • Last updated
-
The Masters Live Stream: How To Watch The Major
Here are all the details on how you can watch the Major wherever you are in the world.
By Sam Tremlett • Published
-
12 Things You Didn't Know About Gary Woodland
We get to know US Open Champion Gary Woodland a little better
By Sam Tremlett • Published
-
Five Outsiders Who Could Win The Masters
We consider five players who might surprise the favourites and claim victory at Augusta
By Fergus Bisset • Last updated
-
Who Coaches Tiger Woods?
Here we take a look at who coaches Tiger Woods
By Sam Tremlett • Last updated
-
Who Is Tiger Woods’ Girlfriend?
Find out more about Tiger Woods' girlfriend, Erica Herman, here.
By Matt Cradock • Last updated