Shane Lowry delivered an unforgettable performance at the Amgen Irish Open, winning by an astonishing eleven strokes and posting a seven-under‑63 in the final round to finish at 23 under par. The triumph marked Lowry's seventh career win and his second Irish Open title, the first coming in 2009 when he captured the trophy as a 22‑year‑old amateur.
This time, the championship was presented by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who handed Lowry the trophy on the 18th green. Lowry's victory was a much‑needed comeback after a series of heartbreaking near‑misses earlier in the season. He had squandered a chance at the Dubai Invitational, where a double‑bogey on the final hole cost him the title by two strokes, and he saw a three‑stroke lead evaporate at the Cognizant Classic after two consecutive double‑bogeys in the closing holes.
Those setbacks made his dominant display at Doonbeg all the more satisfying. Entering Sunday with a comfortable four‑shot lead, Lowry expanded his margin with a flawless final round. He recorded eight birdies and only one bogey – a solitary slip at the ninth hole – while delivering two spectacular 45‑foot putts on the par‑three seventh and the par‑four 15th.
The crowd erupted each time the ball found the bottom of the cup, and Lowry capped his round with a long‑range birdie on the final hole, sealing an 11‑stroke win. Trump, who was present for the second day in a row, was greeted by enthusiastic spectators chanting "USA".
During the ceremony, he announced that he was working to remove tariffs on Irish whiskey, a move he said he had discussed with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who was also on the green alongside the Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue. When asked about his week, an emotional Lowry admitted that the season had been challenging. "I’ve had a few chances to win, and there have been some really tough times," he said.
"To come here this week and do this, I don’t do things by half measures. I can’t believe I’m standing here with that leaderboard.
This has been the most spectacular week – it’s been unreal." He also spoke about the support he receives at home. "When things aren’t going well on the course, it’s hard at home too, but my wife has been a huge support, and my kids mean the world to me. My daughter is always asking when I’m going to bring a trophy home, so yes, I’m bringing one home for them." Lowry’s commanding lead was built largely on a record‑breaking second‑round 62, which set a new course benchmark and gave him a cushion that proved decisive on Sunday.
His closest rival, Jacob Skov Olesen, who was sitting at 12 under after the third round, faltered with a three‑over 73 and fell down the leaderboard. Patrick Reed and Rasmus Neergaard‑Petersen both posted impressive closing rounds of 64 and 63 respectively, securing second and third place. Joaquin Niemann shared second place with Reed at 12 under, while Neergaard‑Petersen finished one shot behind.
England’s Alex Fitzpatrick tied for seventh at nine under, and Sergio Garcia’s closing 64 put him at six under, matching the scores of Robert MacIntyre, Matt Wallace, and several others. Jon Rahm ended the tournament at four under, and defending champion Rory McIlroy recorded a respectable 67 in the final round, finishing one under par for the week. McIlroy reflected on his performance, noting that his final round gave him confidence heading into next week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, a venue where he won in 2014 and has been runner‑up three times.
"I’ve seen enough good stuff this week to give me encouragement going into next week," he said. "It’s a course I know well and have had success on. Obviously this wasn’t the week I wanted, but I don’t feel too far away and I feel good heading into Wentworth." He added that his iron and wedge play had improved, though putting remained a challenge. "I need a little time on the putting green over the next couple of days and to get familiar with the greens at Wentworth again," McIlroy explained.
The DP World Tour now moves to Wentworth in Surrey for the BMW PGA Championship, the tour’s flagship event. Fans can follow live coverage of all four rounds, with featured groups broadcasting from 7:30 a.m. each Thursday.
For those without a Sky Sports subscription, streaming options and the latest Sky Sports deals are available, offering flexible ways to watch the action. Golf enthusiasts looking to experience the sport firsthand can book a round at any of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland.
By entering a city, course name, or postal code, players can find the perfect venue for a round of golf, whether they are beginners or seasoned pros. Overall, Shane Lowry’s emphatic win at the Irish Open not only highlighted his resilience after a turbulent season but also underscored his ability to dominate a field when everything clicks.
With a record‑setting round, a massive margin of victory, and a trophy presented by a former president, the event will be remembered as one of the most remarkable chapters in Lowry’s career and in the history of the Irish Open.