Shane Lowry ended a four-year winless streak with an emphatic 11-stroke win at the Irish Open.  After the win, the Irishman was fighting back tears, thinking of the support his family gave him during one of the toughest periods of his career. 

After a lacklustre PGA Tour season, Lowry produced one of his career-best performances in Doonbeg. The 39-year-old went on to dedicate the win to his family. 

" When things are not going well at this level, it's hard at home as well," Lowry told Sky Sports Golf. “But my wife's been a huge support and my kids. I love them so much, I'm so happy to win this for them.”

Lowry's dedication underscored the toll the winless streak took on his family.

This was Lowry’s first win since the 2022 BMW Championship. He finished with a tournament total of 23-under par, which made him break the Irish Open’s record win margin, as he finished 11 shots clear.

The win surged Lowry to world No. 41 and is also a huge boost to his Ryder Cup ambitions. 

The four-year wait for a win is now over as the Irishman has clinched his seventh DP World Tour title. 

“I went out this morning and I went out to win this tournament. That's what I did,” Lowry added, as reported by Sky Sports. “I can't wait to bring a trophy home. My daughter always asks me, ‘When are you going to bring a trophy home?’ So yes, I'm going to bring one home.”

Lowry also secured almost €879,000 in prize money and a $30,000 bonus for his course-record 62. Now, he’ll head to Wentworth without the pressure of the winless slump. 

Fellow Irishman Rory McIlroy also took a few positives home ahead of the BMW Championship.

Rory McIlroy saw “good stuff” in his game

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy’s title defense did not go as planned. However, the Irishman feels good heading into next week’s event. 

"I thought I hit the ball pretty well for the most part,” McIlroy said, per the same Sky Sports report. “A couple of bad decisions off the tees yesterday but, overall, my iron play was a lot better, my wedge play was pretty good for the most part."

McIlroy finished at 1-under par overall, a staggering 22 strokes off winner Lowry. His putting led him down as he could only secure a tied-for-41st finish. 

However, a final-round 67 with seven birdies left him with some encouragement ahead of the BMW Championship. The Irishman has won the tournament once, back in 2014 by a stroke over his longtime friend, Lowry. 

Written by

Avishek Sarkar