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After winning the BMW PGA Championship at the Wentworth Golf Club in Virginia Water, England, Shane Lowry celebrates with the trophy.
Shane Lowry’s thrilling victory at the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday put an end to his three-year winless streak.
At Wentworth, the Irishman edged off longtime friends Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm by one shot to win his first championship since the 2019 Open Championship in July.
The 35-year-old carded a bogey-free 17-under over the championship’s amended 54 holes, which was reduced from the traditional 72 holes after Friday’s second round was postponed due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. This victory was his sixth on the DP World Tour.
Lowry entered Sunday two strokes off the lead after shooting a six-under 66 and a 68 in the first two days, but his final round erupted with an eagle at the fourth hole.
Rahm, the 2021 US Open champion, had set the clubhouse target at 16-under after shooting a joint-event best 62, and Lowry tied him with a fourth birdie on the 12th hole.
With McIlroy right behind him, Lowry needed to birdie the last hole to avoid a playoff with Rahm after a steady run of five consecutive pars. The Irishman made it a hat-trick to put himself within striking distance of the championship after birdying the 18th on each of the first two rounds.
The Northern Irishman needed to make an eagle on the par-five 18th hole to force a playoff, and he came agonizingly close to doing so. The newly minted PGA Tour Championship champion reached the green in just two strokes, but his 23-foot eagle putt fell just inches short of claiming victory for Lowry.
Lowry told reporters, “I am extremely happy. “To win on this tour, or any tour, is so difficult. Some of the top players in the world are attempting to catch up with you.
“I believed that I was capable of winning all year long, but I thought that I lacked the breaks necessary to triumph in competitions.
“I’m simply extremely glad and thankful that I was able to win this event as well. I don’t think I like to do things lightly, so it’s good to have this on my résumé as well.”
Golf’s most embarrassing competition concludes with a $2 million LIV sledge.
Shane Lowry of Ireland referred to his victory at the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday as “one for the good people” in an apparent dig at the contentious LIV Golf Series.
After Friday’s play was canceled due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Lowry edged out Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy to win the $2A million tournament at Wentworth on Sunday.
Rahm, a former US Open champion, set a challenging clubhouse goal of 16 under par after shooting an outstanding final round of 62, which included a back nine of just 29.
However, Lowry came back with an eagle and five of his own birdies in a final 65 to finish 17 under.
The former British Open champion was rewarded for his steadiness because he went the entire tournament without making a bogey.
In order to force a play-off with Lowry, McIlroy found himself needing to eagle the 18th hole. However, his putt from 23 feet came within millimeters of the hole.
An tense week for a tournament featuring 18 players from the Saudi-sponsored LIV Golf Series came to a dramatic conclusion.
After the breakaway tour sparked a civil war in golf, Lowry had stated at the beginning of the week that he “can’t abide” the LIV stars being on the field.
Before the competition began, American star Billy Horschel and LIV player Ian Poulter were seen having a violent argument on the putting green.
Talor Gooch, an American, finished fourth at Wentworth as the best LIV player, and following his victory, Lowry used the occasion to retaliate against the competing circuit.
“I was upfront about my feelings over the situation. I wanted to win for myself first and foremost, but I also feel like this is a victory for everyone who has supported this Tour, said Lowry.
It’s been a nice year, but I felt like I’ve been close to winning a few times. With only a few tournaments remaining in the season, this was the one I most wanted to win.
“I’m overjoyed. How thrilled I am and how much I adore this tour and this competition are beyond words. Right now, I’m the happiest man on earth.
McIlroy, who shot a final-round score of 67, has also been a vocal opponent of the LIV players, and he confessed it gave him some solace to see his good friend Lowry win.
“I’m good. I believe Shane’s victory lessens the blow. I might not have been as at ease with it if it had been someone else. I’m always delighted to see a friend succeed, and I wish him the best of luck,” he remarked.
I had trouble today. My iron shots weren’t very accurate. Despite my considerable scrambling, I managed to maximize my round.
Rory McIlroy loses the BMW PGA Championship against Shane Lowry by one stroke.
Shane Lowry of Ireland won the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday, his first victory since winning the 2019 Open, thanks to a brilliant third round.
With a birdie on the par-5 18th hole at Wentworth, Lowry shot a flawless 65 and moved ahead of Spaniard Jon Rahm, who had previously lit up the course with a stunning 62, reaching 18-under for his three rounds.