Shane Lowry: The Moving Day of Madness

Very close to recording a historic 61 (-10) in a men’s Major, Shane Lowry was satisfied with a… 62 (-9). Record now shared with Xander Schauffele (twice), Rickie Fowler and Branden Grace. His score of -13 (138) above all allows him to claim victory this Sunday in Valhalla. Five years after his triumph at The Open!

L.V.

What a Moving Day! Author of a magnificent card of 62 (-9) without the slightest bogey, Shane Lowry37 years old, joined in the history of PGA Championshipand more generally in the history of a men’s Grand Slam tournament, Xander Schauffelealso owner of this brand on Thursday at the opening of this 106th PGA Championship (after having already been in the 1st round of theUS Open 2023). The Irishman also finds the South African in this very closed circle Branden Grace (62 in the 3rd round of The Open at Royal Birkdale in 2017) And Rickie Fowler (in the 1st round of the US Open 2023 at Los Angeles Country Club).

A trip to paradise for the current 43rd player in the world, recent winner on the PGA Tour At Zurich Classic with his friend Rory McIlroy. 29th at the end of the 2nd round this Friday at Louisville (Kentucky), Lowry very quickly took the measure of this par 71 with four birdies following 2 to 5 before completing his first leg in 29 (-6) thanks to two other birdies at holes 7 and 9. He is at this title the first to achieve this feat here in Valhalla Golf Club over all four editions contested here (1996, 2000, 2014 and 2024). The last person to have achieved such a feat in a PGA Championship is called Kevin Kisneron the nine holes of the return to Bellerive (Missouri) in the 2nd round in 2018!

Thank you Justin Rose!

Pushed by a Justin Rose very inspired in the same game – the Englishman played 64 (-7) this Saturday – the winner of The Open At Royal Portrush in 2019 continued his incredible rush on the return with three new banderillas distilled at 13, 14 and 17. He even found himself in a position to score an incredible 61 on the green of 18 but his attempt 3.30 meters from the hole passed just to the left.

At the time of writing, the Irishman occupies 2nd place on the leaderboard at -13 total (138). Only three players until today have been invited into a top 5 of a PGA Championship by coming beyond the top 25. WC Liang in 2010 had gone from 40th to 4th place in Whistling Straits. Padraig Harringtonanother Irishman, had slipped from 26th to 4th place in 2008 Oakland Hills (before taking it away the next day). Thomas Björnhe was still 36th at the start of the 3rd round Baltsurol in 2005 before taking 3rd place…

I liked that. I loved every minute of it, obviously. But it is probably the most infuriating lap completed in 62 ever.

Shane Lowry

Remember that Lowry’s best result in a UPSGA is a 4th place signed at Kiawah Island in 2021.

“ It was quite a good daybreathes the Irishman with a big smile. I liked that. I loved every minute of it, obviously. But it is probably the most infuriating lap completed in 62 ever. I knew what was at stake (on the green of 18 and this 61 in line of sight). But I just didn’t hit the ball hard enough. Well, my job today was to try to get back into the game. And that’s what I managed to do. »

“ I changed putters at the Zurich Classiche adds. I also feel like I’ve kind of changed the way I train over the last couple of weeks, kind of moving away from the technical side and just trying to make putts and make a lot of exercises. But it’s also good to have brought in a few (24 putts this Saturday) but it’s not yet one of my best seasons on the greens… »

Photo: Darren Carroll/PGA of America