Ireland's Shane Lowry Braves Rain To Win First Major At British Open

21st July 2019 - by AFP

He could even afford the luxury of revelling in a career-defining win as he headed down the 18th to the delight of the home fans in the first Open Championship on Northern Irish soil since 1951

Ireland's Shane Lowry celebrates as he walks up the 18th fairway during the final round of the British Open golf Championships at Royal Portrush golf club in Northern Ireland on July 21, 2019. PHOTO | AFP

SUMMARY

Ireland's Shane Lowry withstood howling wind and rain to win his first major at the British Open by six shots from Tommy Fleetwood on Sunday
In desperately difficult conditions, Lowry's one-over par final round was still more than enough as he finished on 15-under for the tournament to claim the Claret Jug
Strengthening winds and lashing rain halted Lowry's charge towards the finish line as dropped shots at eight, nine and 11 to give Fleetwood hope

PORTRUSH, United Kingdom- Ireland's Shane Lowry withstood howling wind and rain to win his first major at the British Open by six shots from Tommy Fleetwood on Sunday, describing the achievement as "an out-of-body experience".

In desperately difficult conditions, Lowry's one-over par final round was still more than enough as he finished on 15-under for the tournament to claim the Claret Jug.

"This feels like an out-of-body experience," said the 32-year-old.

"I can't wait to wake up on Monday morning and find out what it's going to feel like then. It's just going to be incredible."

Fleetwood could never apply enough pressure as Lowry never had less than a three-shot lead throughout his round and a double bogey at the 14th realistically ended the Englishman's challenge as he finished three-over for the day on nine-under.

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"Fourteen was a killer blow." said Fleetwood. "Them first few holes, when you start four back are pretty crucial. I didn't do a good enough job of sort of pressing at that point."

Roared on by huge crowds despite the inclement weather at Royal Portrush, Lowry had a nervy start as he bogeyed the opening hole.

However, he looked set to romp to victory after making three birdies in four holes between four and seven to move to 18-under.

Strengthening winds and lashing rain halted Lowry's charge towards the finish line as dropped shots at eight, nine and 11 to give Fleetwood hope.

However, the world number 20 was also struggling and when a six at the par-four 14 for Fleetwood was followed by Lowry's birdie at 15 there was only one winner.

Lowry could even afford the luxury of revelling in a career-defining win as he headed down the 18th to the delight of the home fans in the first Open Championship on Northern Irish soil since 1951.

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