'I should have shot 61,' laments Lowry. McIlroy rues cooled putter

“Probably the most disappointed anyone can ever be shooting 62," reflected Shane Lowry

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts after missing a putt on the 13th hole during the third round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Valhalla Golf Club, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Shane Lowry stood over his 12-footer on the last and knew what was at stake – a never-before-done 61 in a major championship. On a day when he’d already made a career-best 160 feet of putts, he just needed 12 more to make history.

“I should have shot 61,” he said with a chagrinned smile after becoming the first European and fifth player all-time to shoot 62 in a major on Saturday at Valhalla Golf Club. His 9-under round vaulted him from T29 into the one of the final two PGA Championship pairings on Sunday at 13-under par.