Majestic Shane Lowry the million dollar man

Shane Lowry from Clara, Co Offaly, last night pulled off the biggest win of his golfing career when claiming the first prize of US$1,570, 000 (€1.45m) in the WGC Bridgestone Invitational Championship at Akron, Ohio.

He birdied the final hole for a closing round of 66 and was warmly embraced by fellow Irish star Graeme McDowell as he departed the final green.

Lowry, a son of Brendan, the former Offaly All-Ireland Football medal winner, went into the final round of the $9.5 million World Championship event two shots behind Justin Rose of England and the veteran American Jim Furyk but as the leaders struggled at various points of the final round, the Irishman kept his composure in highly commendable fashion.