Lowry becomes just fourth man to shoot Major 62

just 24 putts and holing nearly 400 feet of putts. From 14 feet at the second, 13 feet at the third, 19 feet at the fourth, Lowry knocked in one from seven feet at the fifth.

He then chipped stiff for a fifth birdie at the long seventh before draining from 17 feet at the ninth to turn in a stunning 29 strokes.

With a pep in his step, Lowry allowed himself a fist pump as he rolled in a 37-footer at the 13th before a 32-footer found the cup at the 14th.

A superb approach at the 17th preceded another gain to par from six feet.

Needing a four at the par-five 18th to shoot the lowest score ever in a Major, Lowry’s drive caught the right rough.

He laid up, pitched to 10 feet but his putt for immortality slipped left of the cup.

Even so, Lowry joined Branden Grace, Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele (twice) as the only golfers to card a 62 in a Major.

Lowry’s score bettered by a stroke his mark in the third round at Royal Portrush on his way to 2019 Open glory. He hasn’t threatened another Major since but that could change today.

At 37, Lowry doesn’t win as often as he likes but his record as a big game hunter is excellent. On top of his Open triumph, he has an Irish Open, a WGC and a BMW PGA Championship on his CV.

He was also runner-up at the 2016 US Open having led by four shots after 54 holes.

Lowry’s playing partner, Justin Rose, a veteran of the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla, got in on the act with a superb 64 for 12 under par. The two men embraced warmly on the final green.

McIlroy, the 2014 champion, rebounded from an opening bogey to motor up the leaderboard with five birdies in seven holes, including four in a row.

But his putter then cooled with bogeys at the 13th and 15th before he closed with a birdie on the 18th for a 68, leaving him eight under.