City
Epaper

Ireland's Lowry wins maiden Open Championship title

By IANS | Updated: July 22, 2019 09:50 IST

Ireland's Shane Lowry won his first Grand Slam championship as he held his nerve in a tense battle with England's Tommy Fleetwood at the 148th Open in Royal Portrush.

Open in App

Sunday's victory tasted sweeter for a man from the island considering The Open is returning to Northern Ireland for the first time since 1951, Xinhua news agency reported.

The 32-year-old had built enough of a lead that he could enjoy the greatest walk in golf up the 18th fairway knowing the Claret Jug was waiting for him, and has become just the second Irishman to lift it, after Padraig Harrington.

He eventually signed for a score of 72 which saw him end the Championship at -15 and Fleetwood could only shake the new Champion Golfer's hand as he finished six strokes back.

American Tony Finau produced a superb level-par 71 to finish third at -7.

Last year's Champion Golfer Francesco Molinari also finished strongly with a Sunday-best round of 66 that saw him leap up to -3 for the Championship and a tie for 11th.

Lowry was greeted by boisterous fans who belted out football chants and pop songs lauding their hero long into the night.

"Honestly, that's the most incredible day I've ever had on the golf course. I honestly can't explain what it was like," said Lowry afterwards. "The crowd was incredible," he said.

"I let myself enjoy it and it was incredible walking down 18, they were singing and going mad. I could not believe it was happening to me.

"It is huge for Irish golf and big for Irish sport. I am a huge sports fan and I think there are people back home who watched golf that have never watched it before," he added.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: LowryPadraig HarringtonTony FinauFrancesco MolinariXinhua
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalMajor UK Railway Stations Hit by Cyber Attack; Network Rail Suspends Wi-Fi Service

InternationalGreece braces for first summer heat wave

PoliticsSudan govt willing to work with all parties to end conflict

InternationalCyprus prepares for emergencies in face of approaching heat wave

PoliticsUkraine receives cluster munitions from US

Other Sports Realted Stories

Other SportsIPL 2025: CSK will be very vigilant about evolving with the game now, says Rayudu

Other SportsChinese basketball rising star Yang announces entry into NBA Draft 2025

Other SportsIPL 2025: Brevis has the potential to be long-term asset for CSK, feels Kumble

Other SportsIPL 2025: CSK will work very hard on every game to find answers for next year, says Fleming

Other SportsNice end PSG’s unbeaten Ligue 1 run with clinical display in Paris