“We’re one-all here!”
It took Shane Lowry eight years to avenge his BMW PGA Championship loss to Rory McIlroy, at Wentworth. When he did, the first golfer to find the Offaly man was Rory McIlroy.
Lowry and McIlroy had respective closing rounds of 65 and 67 and they went charging for the lucrative BMW PGA Championship title. Jon Rahm set the clubhouse lead on -16 and it was not until a brilliant birdie on the 18th that Lowry nudged ahead. No better time for it, and no better man.
Lowry gave himself a look at eagle on the 18th, after a stunning approach from 215 yards out, but settled for a tap-in birdie to go to -17. At that stage, the only person that could prevent a Lowry win was the guy that beat him at the same course in 2014 – Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy also gave himself an eagle change and almost dropped a 20-foot putt, but it was one ball rotation short of dropping. His birdie saw him finish joint second with Rahm.
Following his round, McIlroy made a beeline for Lowry and their exchange summed up a deep friendship between the Irish golfers.
LOWRY: One-all here.
MCILROY: Well done.
LOWRY: Sorry about that. I don’t know how that [McIlroy putt] missed.
MCILROY: I’m really happy for you. I’m happy for you.
LOWRY: You won enough, anyway. You won enough!
MCILROY: You deserve one here!
Two great friends. Two great champions. @McIlroyRory 🤝 @ShaneLowryGolf #BMWPGA | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/jNRya5vWFw
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 11, 2022
“This was one for the good guys” – Shane Lowry
“It means a lot,” Shane Lowry told Sky Sports after his BMW PGA Championship victory. “It’s been a good year. I felt I’ve been close [to winning] a few times and there were only a few tournaments left. I wanted to try and win one, and this was obviously right at the top of the list.
“I love it here. I’ve contended here in the past. Even going down that back nine today, the bad shots I’ve hit here, over the years, started to creep into my head. That’s what this game does. But I’m so happy. Words can’t really capture how happy I am and how much this means to me, how much I love this [DP World] tour and this tournament. I’m the happiest man in the world right now.”
After coming out, earlier in the week, with some strong comments against LIV Golf defectors teeing it up at Wentworth, the victory was even sweeter for the Clara native.
“I made no secret about how I felt, and my feelings, at the start of the week,” Lowry said.
“I wanted to go out and win this tournament for myself, first and foremost, but for this tour and all the guys that have stayed loyal to, and done everything for, this tour. I really feel like this is one for the good guys.”
For Rory McIlroy, there were certainly no hard feelings towards his Olympics and Ryder Cup teammate and, more importantly, his good friend.
“Shane and I were always close,” McIlroy told Sky Sports, “but we’ve got incredibly close in the last few years… he deserves this one. He’s been knocking on the door for a while”
Tiger Woods on why he loves playing golf in Ireland
WATCH: Liverpool BOTTLED the title race 🤬 | Who will win the Premier League?
