One face has always stood out from a picture on the clubhouse wall at Western Gailes Golf Club. Rory McIlroy’s participation in the 2007 European Amateur Team Championship in Ayrshire, won by Ireland, came just days before an Open Championship debut at Carnoustie. It was never a case of ‘Whatever happened to Shane Lowry’ but his teammate claimed by far the greater weight of attention before events at Royal Portrush on Sunday. Twelve years and a few heartaches on Lowry is in possession of the Claret Jug. On that score at least he now sits 1-1 with McIlroy.
There is a glaring dichotomy attached to Lowry’s Open win, which came 48 hours after McIlroy missed the cut at a championship where he was in such sharp focus. McIlroy admitted as much, when posting praise of Lowry on Monday alongside a photo of the duo in their amateur days. “Even though last week wasn’t the week I had envisaged for myself, I couldn’t be happier and more proud of Shane,” McIlroy said. “How he handled everything over the weekend … emotions, nerves and conditions tells you everything I’ve gotten to know about him over the past 15 years. 2019 Champion Golfer of the Year! Enjoy some good stuff out of the Claret Jug!”
Written by Ewan Murray
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jul/22/shane-lowry-life-different-open-golf-2019 under the title “Shane Lowry wants to stay the same but life will change after Open win | Ewan Murray”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
