After a year of near-misses, Lowry returned to the winner’s circle in some style at Doonbeg, streaking 11 shots clear of a world-class field.
Shane Lowry led a singsong in a Clare pub(Image: X: CowenBarry)
Shane Lowry led a cheeky sing-song in a Clare pub as he celebrated his runaway Irish Open success on Sunday.
After a year of near-misses, Lowry returned to the winner’s circle in some style at Doonbeg, streaking 11 shots clear of a world-class field.
And the 39-year-old was clearly in a celebratory mood after winning in front of his home fans.
In a video posted on X by fellow Offaly man and MEP Barry Cowen, Lowry is seen arriving at Jim Daly’s Bar in Rineroe, Clare.
From there, the former Open champion proceeded to lead a sing-song at the expense of Westmeath, one of the Faithful County’s big rivals.
“You’ll never see a Sam in Mullingar,” Lowry sings, holding a can of Bulmers in one hand and the Irish Open trophy in the other.
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Once finished with the song, Lowry left the pub to loud applause from the local punters.
It is unclear if Lowry stopped off at any other pubs in Clare after his famous victory, but we do know that he was due to stay at Adare Manor in Limerick.
“I’ve got to go to Adare Manor tonight,” he told RTE after the victory. “We have a Ryder Cup practice tomorrow and then to London tomorrow night. No rest for the wicked, back to work.”
Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald revealed last week that he had asked a selection of players to visit Limerick’s Adare Manor, the host venue for next year’s Ryder Cup, on the Monday after the Irish Open.
Shane Lowry acknowledges the crowd while walking onto the stage ahead of receiving the Irish Open Trophy(Image: ©INPHO/Ben Brady)
Among them was Lowry, who holed the winning putt for the European team at Bethpage Black last year.
Absent, however, was Rory McIlroy, who revealed after finishing in a tie for 41st place at Doonbeg that he was jetting back to London to see his wife and daughter, Erica.
“I’m going to see my girls in London,” McIlroy said. “I’m going to get out of here quickly. They just got into London this morning, so I’ll head over there, get back and get ready for next week.”
Both McIlroy and Lowry are competing in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth this week, a tournament both golfers have won in the past.
And the good friends will undoubtedly get to raise a toast to Lowry’s success during the week.
McIlroy told reporters after finishing his final round at Doonbeg that he was fully behind Lowry.
“It would be absolutely incredible [if Lowry won].
“He’s had a couple of chances. He had a big chance earlier this year at the Cognizant.
“I felt like he never got going with his season after that. Knocked him back a little bit.
“To see him in contention out there, obviously the whole country would love to see him get it done, me included.
“It would be a great way to cap off [the week]. It would be an amazing thing for Shane after — he would tell you himself — struggling for most of the year after he didn’t win at the Cognizant.
“We’re all cheering him on, and hopefully he gets it done.”
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