Cruise control: Lowry pitches in as Open countdown begins

History-maker Shane Lowry demonstrated his brilliance on the high seas yesterday as the countdown to next month’s Irish Open at the Fota Island resort gathered pace.

Up to 100,000 golf fans will descend on Fota in Cork for the South’s biggest sporting occasion this year from June 19-22. A €2m prize fund will lure more than 150 players and necessitate 1,600 staff.

And to celebrate the occasion, Lowry, who captured the Irish Open as an amateur at Baltray five years ago, decided to test his skills on board the 962ft-long Brilliance of the Seas cruise ship, which docked in Cobh for the day.