Shane Lowry: ‘If I win another Open, I’ll celebrate twice as much’

Offaly man explains the emotion of winning Claret Jug at Portrush in 2019 after the ‘toughest 24 hours of my sporting life’

MARVELLOUS MURAL: Shane Lowry, the last Open Championship winner at Portrush adorns the side of a house in the town prior to the 153rd renewal. Pic: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

The gable end of a house on Causeway Street in Portrush delivers a reminder of Shane Lowry’s Open triumph in 2019. The fantastic mural not only depicts Lowry with the Claret Jug in hand, but how Ireland, whether north or south, unites behind its sportspeople. Lingering memories from six years ago recall Lowry stretching away from the field towards the end of round three. He was in an unassailable position.

The subsequent epic, week-long celebrations are another key reference point; the new Open champion showed the sporting world how to party and it fuelled a misconception, a tired cliche of the bearded, drinking Irishman.