Lowry’s amateur dramatics
Emotions ran high in the Co Louth village of Baltray last night as the 22-year-old from Clara, Co Offaly, became the first amateur to capture the coveted title, when he added a round of 71 to his earlier scores of 67, 62 and 71 for a 17 under par total of 271. He tied after the regulation 18 holes with the 32-year-old English man Robert Rock before eventually getting home at the third tie hole.
“I was delighted to get the invite to play my first Tour event and would have been happy to make the cut”, said the son of Brendan, a member of Offaly’s All-Ireland football winning side in 1982. “And then I went and shot 62 on Friday and after that, I thought, right, this is my week, I can win it.
“I really did believe it until I went two behind at the 11th today and I was, like, here we go, these boys are going to pull away from me. In my own mind, I thought 20 under would be the number. It was tough out there, it was windy and then towards the end it began to rain. I can’t describe what I’m feeling at this minute. I’m shocked more than anything else.”
However, this most certainly is a life-changing development in Lowry’s young life. His victory means he automatically qualifies for membership of the PGA European Tour and has an exemption from qualifying until the end of 2011.
Furthermore, a spot has been kept for the Irish Open winner in the BMW PGA Championship beginning at Wentworth on Thursday, but to take up that option, he would need to turn professional today.
“I’m going to have to think about all that today”, he said. “I’m sure I’ll have a chat with Walker Cup captain Colin Dalgleish first thing and I’d like to speak with some other people and see what they think.”
Both Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy stated over the weekend that they believed now is the time for Lowry to make the move. Clarke accepted it was “completely a matter for himself but I think he would learn a whole lot more as a pro than hanging around for the Walker Cup.”
As McIlroy pointed out: “Darren and Lee Westwood didn’t wait for the Walker Cup and they haven’t done too badly. Shane has now won the Irish Open, he has as many European Tour wins as I have, so why would he be hanging around any longer.”
But Lowry, a cheerful, sincere and laid-back individual, believes he has a commitment both to the Golfing Union of Ireland and the Walker Cup team. He stressed last night: “The GUI have been unbelievable and through them I met coach Neil Manchip. He’s been wonderful over the years and this is for him as well. Since I started playing full-time amateur golf, I’ve gone everywhere with the Union and they have been a great help to me. As an amateur, it’s not so easy to get on the European Tour so if you play Walker Cup, it looks good on your CV when you turn pro. That’s why a lot of people play Walker Cup and it’s a great event, great excitement, great hype. I don’t know, I’ll have to see tomorrow.”
McILROY was Lowry’s four-somes partner when Irelandwon the European Team Championship in Turin in 2007 and they remain good friends. They played a practice round together at Baltray on Tuesday and McIlroy was there to console him after he had missed a short birdie putt for victory in normal time. Not alone that, but he hung around for the duration of the play-off and later bought champagne for the assembled media on behalf of Lowry.
“I actually wondered if Rory would be there when I finished, would he stay around, and when I came off the 18th it was great to see him there and supporting me”, said Lowry. “He has been unbelievable over the last couple of years and hopefully I will be seeing more of him in the future.”
Lowry has gone from nobody to celebrity in the space of four short days. An Taoiseach and fellow-Clara man Brian Cowen and two other ministers, Martin Cullen and Dermot Ahern, were also present to pass on their congratulations. For the first two days of the tournament, Lowry travelled from his family’s rented accommodation in Castlebellingham in his Mitsubishi Colt but once he jumped into prominence on Friday he was picked up in a luxurious Audi courtesy car.
After this, Shane will go very few places without being recognised.
When asked if this excelled the achievement of his father, Brendan, in winning an All-Ireland medal with Offaly in 1982, Shane responded with a wide grin: “For me, this means a whole lot more”.
Brendan wasn’t for arguing, insisting instead that “this is the greatest thing that has ever happened to our family.”
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