Shane Lowry confirms amicable split from caddie after four and a half year partnership

Shane Lowry is on the hunt for a new caddie.

The Offaly golfer has split with Brian 'Bo' Martin, his bagman of four and a half years, and is now against the clock in his search for a new one. The golf season regular really kicks into gear this month and next, with Lowry competing in five big tournaments in the next five weeks. The distinguished Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill and the so-called 'fifth major,' the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass are among those events, so it's clearly not a time to be messing around. It is also worth noting that the split takes place in a Ryder Cup year, a competition that is very close to the 35-year-old's heart. But despite the less than ideal timing the pair have decided on an 'amicable' split, due to a reported loss of 'spark, mojo and chemistry' in their working relationship, according to the Irish independent. Signs of tetchiness were first seen between them, on a public scale at least, at last year's US Masters when Lowry botched a lay-up shot and took it out on the county Down man. "Left myself no shot," was what Lowry had said. "What a f****** s*** layup that was. Well done, well done Bo. Only 30 yards out. Well done." The pair made up very quickly afterwards however. And, looking back, with the passing of time, theirs' will be be seen as a partnership that led to great success, particularly when Lowry won his home British Open in Royal Portrush in 2019. "I've known Bo a long time. He's now become a very good friend of mine. And to be able to share it with someone so close was very special," Lowry said after that win. "He’s such a chilled-out character," Lowry once said about Bo. "And he’s been great for me on the course. I really feel like he’s helped me over the last while and he’s relaxed me a bit more on the course than I used to be." In the past Lowry has had renowned caddie Dermot Byrne on the bag for nine years, as well as his brother Alan Lowry occasionally, while his coach Neil Manchip has also stood in at times. All good things come to an end though. Lowry has been in poor form in recent weeks, rounded off by a missed cut at the Dubai Desert Classic on Friday, and his management company Horizon Sports Management has confirmed that the pair decided on the split after that event.