Shane Lowry delivered a dominant performance at the Amgen Irish Open, winning by an astonishing eleven strokes and posting a seven‑under‑par 63 on the final day to finish at 23 under par overall. This triumph marks the seventh title of Lowry's professional career and his second Irish Open win, the first coming in 2009 when he captured the trophy as a 22‑year‑old amateur.
The 2024 victory was presented by U.S. President Donald Trump, who handed Lowry the trophy on the 18th green. Lowry's win was a much‑needed comeback after a season that had seen him suffer several heartbreaking setbacks.
Earlier in the year he missed out on the Dubai Invitational by two strokes after a double‑bogey on the final hole, and at the Cognizant Classic he saw a three‑stroke lead evaporate with three holes remaining, ultimately finishing with two consecutive double‑bogeys. Those near‑misses made his resurgence at Doonbeg all the more satisfying. Entering the Sunday round, Lowry held a comfortable four‑stroke lead. He extended that margin with a flawless final round that featured eight birdies and only a single bogey on the ninth hole.
Two spectacular 45‑foot putts—one on the par‑three seventh and another on the par‑four 15th—elicited roars from the crowd, and he sealed the victory with a long‑range birdie on the 18th. His round of 63 not only secured the win but also reinforced his reputation as one of the most consistent players on the European Tour. During the post‑tournament ceremony, President Trump addressed the assembled fans, proclaiming that he was working to remove tariffs on Irish whiskey after discussions with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who was also present on the green. Irish sports minister Charlie McConalogue joined the celebration, and the audience repeatedly chanted "USA" in support of the visiting dignitary.
When asked about his performance, an emotional Lowry reflected on the challenges he had faced earlier in the season. "This year has been quite difficult on the course for me," he said. "I've had a few chances to win, and there have been some really tough times. 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 has been unreal." Lowry also spoke about the personal support that helped him persevere. He praised his wife and children, noting that his daughter frequently asks when he will bring a trophy home. "I love them so much and I'm so happy for them.
I can't wait to bring a trophy home," he added, confirming that he indeed would. A key factor in Lowry's dominance was his record‑breaking second‑round 62, which set a new course benchmark and gave him a sizable cushion heading into the final day.
While his closest rival, Jacob Skov Olesen, fell back with a three‑over 73 on Sunday, other notable performers included Patrick Reed, who posted a closing 64, and Rasmus Neergaard‑Petersen, who carded a 63, earning them second and third places respectively. Joaquin Niemann tied with Reed at 12 under par for second place, while Neergaard‑Petersen finished one stroke behind.
England's Alex Fitzpatrick was tied for seventh at nine under, and Sergio Garcia’s closing 64 placed him at six under, matching the scores of Robert MacIntyre and Matt Wallace among others. Former world number one Jon Rahm finished four under par, and defending champion Rory McIlroy recorded a best round of 67 to end his title defence at one under.
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 stuff this week to give me encouragement going into next week," he said. "It's a golf course that I know well and one I've had success on." He added that while the Irish Open did not go as he hoped, he felt close to contention and was pleased with his iron and wedge play, though he acknowledged that putting on the greens had been a struggle.
"I need a little bit of time on the putting green the next couple days and to get familiar with the greens at Wentworth again," McIlroy explained. The DP World Tour now shifts to Wentworth in Surrey for the BMW PGA Championship, the tour's flagship event. Fans can watch live coverage of all four rounds, with featured groups beginning at 7:30 a.m.
on Thursday. For those without a Sky Sports subscription, alternative streaming options and the latest Sky deals are available, ensuring that golf enthusiasts can follow the action without a long‑term contract. Golfers looking to play the courses featured on the tour can also book tee times at any of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland. By entering a city, course name, or postal code, players can find available slots and secure the best prices for their next round.
Overall, Shane Lowry's emphatic victory at the Irish Open not only highlighted his resilience after a tumultuous season but also underscored his ability to dominate a field when his game is firing on all cylinders. The combination of a record‑setting second round, a flawless final round, and the added spectacle of a presidential trophy presentation made this tournament a memorable chapter in Lowry's career and a thrilling event for golf fans worldwide.