Lowry lifts Irish hopes with Open qualification

Shane Lowry has boosted hopes of a fourth Irish success in eight years by qualifying for next fortnight’s British Open at Royal Liverpool.

Lowry secured one of four places into golf’s oldest major by ending the BMW International Open inside the top-20 on the Race to Dubai money list and not being otherwise exempt into the Major which commences on July 17.

The German event ended dramatically with Fabrizio Zanotti defeating Henrik Stenson at the fifth extra play-off hole, and also creating Tour history in becoming the first Paraguay-born player to win on the European Tour.