‘Stressful but enjoyable’ for home hero Lowry

A second Irish Open and the first as a professional was not to be for Shane Lowry but he is convinced that only good can come from the experiences he encountered from four up-and-down days over his home course in Co Kildare.

Having essentially lost his chance of emulating his success at Baltray in 2009 with a two-over par 74 on Saturday, Lowry battled back yesterday with a round of 69 for eight under par that clinched him a share of 5th, a cheque for €61,760 and a boost in the world rankings.

Ironically, it could have been even better for the big Offaly man, who saw his five iron tee shot to the 12th finish an inch behind the cup when he felt sure it was going to drop for an ace, the kind of boost that spurred him on to his most recent Tour victory in the Portuguese Masters last October. He also dropped shots subsequently at the 14th, because of a wayward drive, and again at the short 17th, where he overshot the green from the tee, before knocking in a 12 footer for birdie on the final green — much to the delight of the home fans.

“I’m disappointed with Saturday but it was a good week all the same,” he reasoned. “It was stressful but I’ve enjoyed it and now I have a week off, then the Scottish and British Opens, a week off and then the WGC Bridgestone Invitational and the USPGA Championship.”

Lowry was fortunate to have completed his round before a dreadful shower, driven by 30 miles per hour winds, swept across the exposed Montgomerie layout, but it was never easy out there at any stage yesterday afternoon.

“It was very difficult and the hardest part was putting”, said Lowry. “I had a few that looked good but were caught by a gust of wind. The weight of expectation got to me on Saturday and I was very disappointed at the way I finished. That’s the most disappointed, most frustrated I’ve ever been. I just got in my own way. I wasn’t Shane Lowry, that’s all I can say. I didn’t give myself a chance to win which I would have loved to do and then, all of a sudden, after 12 holes today, I thought I had a chance of winning. So this game is funny and I will learn from yesterday and hopefully I will take that with me when I’m in that position again.

“The roar when I holed that putt on the 18th was massive. The crowds have been brilliant all week and I owe a lot to them. I’m thankful for what we have here, in Ireland – the support is amazing and it’s great to have such a great tournament in a small country like this. 45,000 for the weekend, 81,379 for the four days. Amazing. What’s not to enjoy about a week like this?”

Peter Lawrie was best placed of the Irish going into the final round on six under and played typically steady golf to stand one below regulation after 11. He dropped his only shot at the 11th but got it back with a birdie on the long 18th.

“Massively, I really do believe this was a successful Irish Open”, glowed 39 year-old Dubliner who finished in a tie 10th. ” The way they set up the golf course has been tremendous. They just let us play golf and they have shown how good it is. It’s a wonderful golf course. You just keep out of the bunkers, greens have been spectacular and galleries have been spectacular. All in all, I think it’s been a very successful Irish Open.”

IRISH SCORES: 280 (8 under, tied 5th) – S Lowry 69; G Shaw 69. 281 (7 under, tied 10th), P Lawrie 71. 283 (5 under, tied 18th) – S Thornton, 70. 286 (2 under, tied 32nd) – M Hoey, 71; A Dunbar 75. 292 (four over, tied 63rd), S Power, 77.