There was much anticipation for the 2019 Open Championship as it returned to Northern Ireland at Royal Portrush Golf Club for the first time since 1951. Much of the fanfare was focused on Rory McIlroy, who still holds the course record of 61 after breaking it when he was 16 years old. Despite a valiant effort in round two, Rory missed the cut by one shot. However, in the end, it was another Irishman who did his country proud by winning on home soil as Shane Lowry captured his first major title at Royal Portrush!
The 2019 Open Championship is what we would expect from links golf. The weather was cool and there was rain and high winds to contend with. Shane Lowry had every part of his game working though and after a third round score of 8-under, 63, he had a four-shot lead over Englishman Tommy Fleetwood heading into the final round. This was a familiar position to Shane as he had a four-shot lead after 54 holes at the 2016 US Open at Oakmont. Unfortunately, Shane tied for second place in that major after shooting 76 in the final round. He was determined that history would not repeat itself this past weekend and boy, did he ever.
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Despite deteriorating conditions and a shaky start, Shane was able to steady himself midway through the front 9. He would eventually fire a final round of 1-over 72 but it was enough to win his first major title by six shots, finishing the Open Championship with a total score of 15-under par. Aside from the Claret Jug, Shane will also take home the first prize purse of $1.935 million USD. This victory also puts him in an exclusive list of five players who won both the Irish Open and the Open Championship.
Source: The Open
