Shane Lowry delivered a spectacular performance at the Amgen Irish Open, clinching the title with an astonishing eleven‑stroke margin. On Sunday he carded a flawless seven‑under‑par 63, bringing his total to an impressive 23 under for the tournament.
This triumph marks Lowry's seventh career win and his second Irish Open victory, the first coming back in 2009 when he was a 22‑year‑old amateur. The trophy was presented to him by U.S.
President Donald Trump, adding a political flourish to the sporting celebration. Lowry's win represents a much‑needed resurgence after a string of heartbreaking near‑misses earlier in the season.
He had been edged out at the Dubai Invitational when a double‑bogey on the final hole cost him the title by two strokes. A few weeks later, at the Cognizant Classic, he surrendered a three‑stroke lead with three holes to play, finishing with two consecutive double‑bogeys and watching the victory slip away.
Those setbacks made his dominant showing at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg all the more satisfying. Entering the final round, Lowry held a comfortable four‑shot lead. He used that cushion to launch an even stronger performance, posting eight birdies and just a single bogey on the ninth hole. Two of his birdies came from extraordinary 45‑foot putts – one on the par‑three seventh and another on the par‑four 15th – moments that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
He capped the round with a long‑range birdie on the 18th, sealing his victory in dramatic fashion. The ceremony that followed featured President Trump addressing the assembled spectators. He announced plans to remove tariffs on Irish whiskey, a policy he said he had discussed with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who was present on the 18th green alongside Minister for State Charlie McConalogue. The audience responded with cheers for Trump and chants of "USA," highlighting the political undertones that often accompany high‑profile sporting events.
Emotionally, Lowry reflected on the challenges he had faced throughout the year. "This season has been tough for me on the course," he admitted, noting the numerous chances he had had to win and the difficult moments that followed. "To come here and dominate like this, I don't do things by halves. I can’t believe I’m standing on this leaderboard.
It’s been an unreal, spectacular week." He also spoke about the personal support that helped him persevere. "When things aren’t going well, it’s hard at home too, but my wife and kids have been a huge source of strength.
My daughter keeps asking when I’ll bring a trophy home, and now I can finally say yes," Lowry said, his voice cracking with pride. Lowry’s advantage heading into Sunday was largely built on a record‑breaking 62 in the second round, which set a new course benchmark. That performance gave him a sizable buffer that he was able to protect and extend on the final day.
The rest of the leaderboard saw several notable finishes. Jacob Skov Olesen, who had been Lowry’s closest rival at 12 under and four strokes back after the third round, faltered with a three‑over 73 on Sunday, dropping down the standings.
Patrick Reed posted a closing 64, while Rasmus Neergaard‑Petersen recorded a 63, earning them second and third places respectively. Joaquin Niemann shared second place with Reed at 12 under, with Neergaard‑Petersen just a shot behind. England’s Alex Fitzpatrick finished tied for seventh at nine under, while Sergio García’s final‑round 64 placed him at six under, matching the scores of Robert MacIntyre and Matt Wallace among others. Jon Rahm ended the tournament at four under, and defending champion Rory McIlroy managed a best round of 67 to finish one under par, a disappointing defense but still a respectable showing.
McIlroy expressed optimism about the upcoming BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, a venue where he won in 2014 and has been runner‑up three times. "I’ve seen enough good things this week to give me confidence heading into next week," he said.
"Wentworth is a course I know well and have had success on. I didn’t have the week I wanted here, but I’m not far off and feel good about my game heading into the next event." He added that his iron play and wedge work had improved, though putting remained a challenge.
"My ball striking was solid for the most part, but I need more time on the greens at Wentworth to get comfortable again," McIlroy explained. The DP World Tour now shifts to Surrey for the BMW PGA Championship, the tour’s flagship event. Fans can continue to follow live coverage of all four rounds, with featured groups broadcasting from 7:30 a.m. on Thursday.
Those without a Sky subscription can explore alternative streaming options or look for the latest Sky Sports deals. For golf enthusiasts looking to play the courses featured on the tour, there are over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland available for booking at competitive rates. By entering a city, course name, or postal code, players can find the perfect venue for their next round.
Overall, Lowry’s triumph at the Irish Open not only underscores his resilience after a series of near‑misses but also highlights his ability to dominate when it matters most. His record‑setting rounds, combined with the political spectacle of a U.S. president presenting the trophy, made this tournament a memorable chapter in the 2024 DP World Tour season.