Shane Lowry back in the entertainment business: ‘Not playing in front of fans doesn’t do it for me’

EYES ON THE PRIZE: Shane Lowry walks the course with his caddie Brian Martin during a practice round ahead of his Open Championship defence at Royal St George’s this week. Picture: Christopher Lee/Getty Images

Martin Dawson, the former R&A chief executive, had a stock ice-breaker at the start of each Open week when taking back the Claret Jug: “I’m only minding it for you until Sunday.”

Shane Lowry, who has possessed the prized silverware since winning it at Royal Portrush two years ago, performed his own handover at Royal St George’s on Monday and will aim this week to become the first player since close friend Pádraig Harrington in 2008 to actually take it back on the Sunday.