Lowry in dreamland after Vilamoura victory

Offaly’s Shane Lowry yesterday became only the second player to win on the European Tour as both an amateur and a professional.

The 25-year-old, who captured the Irish Open in an amazing Tour debut three years ago, lifted the Portugal Masters by a stroke in Vilamoura when England’s Ross Fisher three-putted the final hole.

Lowry joins Spaniard Pablo Martin, who won the 2007 Portuguese Open in his amateur days and then the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa two years later.

Shot of the day from Rory McIlroy’s stablemate was a seven-iron into the hole for an eagle two at the 11th.

Lowry was one ahead after adding birdies at the 15th and 17th, but prepared himself for a play-off after driving into sand and bogeying the last for a 66 and 14 under par total.

Former Ryder Cup star Fisher was in the group behind and from the fringe of the green left his long birdie attempt — a putt to win the title — five feet short and then lipped out.

Unlike his maiden victory, which earned him nothing because of his amateur status, Lowry this time picked up a cheque for just over £300,000(€372,000) in addition to the trophy.

“I cannot believe this,” he said after coming from four behind Austrian Bernd Wiesberger in the final round.

“I can’t explain how I feel really. It’s a dream come true — I’m over the moon. Everyone was referring to me as the fella who won the Irish Open as an amateur, but now I’ve won such a prestigious event I don’t know what to say.”

Nothing might match the atmosphere in torrential rain on the day he triumphed at County Louth, but he still had plenty of vocal support at Oceanico Victoria.

“It was like playing in Ireland,” he said. “It was crazy. It was great.”

Lowry was still three behind at the turn, but birdied the 10th and then saw his approach to the next land a foot short of the flag and hop in.

“I thought then this could be my day and thankfully it is,” he said.