THE BIG TIME
Lowry holds off old pal Rory in BMW thriller
SHANE LOWRY was over the moon after finally winning at Wentworth, claiming victory for his DP World Tour colleagues with a dramatic BMW PGA Championship success at Tour HQ.
The win sent him to the top of the 2023 Ryder Cup qualifying listings.
Lowry came from two shots back at the start of the third and final round, birding the closing hole in a 65 for a 17-under-par tally around the Burma Road course.
The flagship event had been reduced to 54 holes following the death of the British Queen.
Triumph
It was the Offaly man’s first victory since his 2019 British Open triumph, erasing Wentworth memories of eight years ago when denied victory by Rory McIlroy.
This time it was McIlroy who missed out after leaving his eagle putt right on the edge at the last hole, which would have sent the event into a play-off.
The Holywood man’s 67 was enough for a share of second with Jon Rahm, who shot a ‘preferred lie’ 62 yesterday.
No sooner had McIlroy ended his round than he was wrapping his arms around Lowry, congratulating his fellow Irishman.
“I’m over the moon as it means a lot, it means a lot to win as it’s been a good year but then I have been close a few times,”said Lowry.
“I felt I only have a few events left this year and I really wanted to try and win one.
“This one is right up there at the top of my list. I love it here.
“I’ve contended in the past, and even going down the back nine today, those bad shots
I’ve hit in the past when I have been in contention started to creep into my head.
“I cannot put into words how happy I am and how much winning this tournament means to me. How much I love this Tour and how much I love this tournament.
“Yep, I am the happiest man in the world right now.”
It also means a little more to Lowry given he made no secret at the start of the event he did not welcome the appearance of so many LIV Golf players in the field, further heightening his emotions.
“I think given the circumstances I did feel that way as there were no secrets at the start of the week how I felt,” he said.
“I wanted to go out and win this tournament first and foremost for myself, also for this Tour and everyone who has stayed loyal to this Tour.
“I really feel this is one for the good guys.”
Victory earned Lowry a longoverdue sixth pro career win, lifting him to ninth in the Race to Dubai and to No.19 in the world.
Also for Lowry, as he pointed out, it comes after a frustrating season for the Clara golfer missing out earlier this year on victory at the Honda Classic.
Lowry arrived at Tour HQ with his traditional all-black attire, apart from his white shoes.
The flags all about Wentworth back to half-mast in memory the British monarch.
Delay
There was close to a 90-minute delay early in the final round due to fog.
But when play resumed, it was the Burma Road big guns making their presence felt, including Jon Rahm who was out 15 groups ahead of Lowry.
He posted an amazing 62 to reach the clubhouse on 16 under par.
Lowry tied the lead with Rahm at with a greenside bunker shot to just eight inches at the par-five 12th hole, though it wasn’t exactly plain sailing from there.
He parred the 14th to 16th holes and there was a very audible cry of “shit” from the player when his tee shot at the daunting par-five 17th headed right into trees.
But fortunately he was still left with a shot to the green.
He pared 17 ahead of the birdie he needed on the last to finally win at Wentworth.
McIlroy arrived at Wentworth wearing a Ryder Cup theme hoodie, sporting a picture of the Ryder Cup on the front with the numbers 19 and 27 either side of the trophy, the year the biennial competition was founded.
The triple FedEx Cup winning champion ignited his chances of winning backto-back on either side of the Atlantic when he eagled the par-five fifth hole for a second time in three rounds but then, like day one, he bogeyed the par-four eighth hole.
McIlroy birdied the 10th and then, for the third round in succession, he birdied the parfive 12th before another birdie at 15 left him just one off the lead.
However, McIlroy, playing in the group behind Lowry, found the trees right at 17 — a day after sending his drive into the left-side treeline — eventually shaved the hole and walked off with a disappointing par.
And on the final hole, with the crowds looking on, McIlroy was left standing in total disbelief as his eagle putt somehow did not drop, which ultimately left him one shot shy of a playoff.
But despite the heartache, McIlroy was full of praise for his good friend and fellow Bears Club estate neighbour.
“That’s one win apiece here,” said McIlroy in embracing Lowry in the scoring area.
“I didn’t have my best stuff and it was sort of a struggle all the way around. Sort of kept myself in it.
“But I’m incredibly happy for Shane. He’s been knocking on the door a lot this year.
“The two that spring to mind are the Honda Classic and RBC Heritage Hilton Head. He had two great chances there and wasn’t able to get over the line.
“I know he’s always played well here and this is a tournament he would love to win and obviously he did today.
“Yeah, look, I think he was having a sneakily good year even though the results mightn’t have suggested it.
Career
“But playing at home with him, seeing him out playing and getting himself into contention, I think it’s as consistent as Shane has played his entire career — which obviously bodes well for him for the future and for Ryder Cup next year and beyond.”
American Talor Gooch, contesting the event for the first time, became the highest placed LIV Golf star, eagling the last in a score of 65 and finishing fourth at 15 under.
While Graeme McDowell, also a LIV player, posted a closing 69 for a share of 50th place at seven under par.