Shane Lowry didn't just win the Irish Open, he obliterated it – all under the watchful eyes of Donald Trump. What a finish on Sunday, as the Irishman claimed the title in record-breaking fashion!
Lowry hammered home a final-round 63 and finished the tournament at 23-under par. He triumphed with a commanding 11-shot lead, ending a four-year drought without an individual title. Since the BMW PGA Championship in 2022, the 39-year-old star hadn't lifted a trophy – now, he's back in top form.
His dominant performance in Doonbeg even shattered the previous tournament record, set by Bernhard Langer 39 years ago with a 10-shot lead in Portmarnock. Lowry had already claimed the Irish Open as an amateur in 2009 – now, the long-awaited second title at this event for the world No. 53. Patrick Reed and Joaquin Niemann, who shared second place, only saw Lowry's back as the 2019 Open Champion dominated the greens.
And then came the appearance of 80-year-old Donald Trump. He watched Lowry's final putt on the 18th green from the terrace of his VIP suite, accompanied by his sons Eric and Don Jr. Afterward, he even participated in the awards ceremony. The self-proclaimed golf fan made a spectacular entrance after his political engagements in Dublin on Saturday: He arrived in style aboard his Marine One helicopter in Doonbeg, landing on the golf course he has owned since 2014. A Hollywood-esque exit for a golf performance of the highest caliber.
