Shane Lowry

Won The Open on its return to Royal Portrush after 68 years by six shots to claim his first Major Championship.

Began this year by capturing the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, his first victory since the 2015 World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio, where he triumphed by two from Bubba Watson and leapt into the world’s top 20 for the first time.

His recovery from behind trees on the final hole was later named the European Tour's Shot of the Year. Then led the 2016 US Open by four with a round to play, but was overtaken by Dustin Johnson. In 2009 a 10 under par 62 at the Irish Open equalled the lowest score by an amateur in Tour history and was followed by him beating Robert Rock in a play-off to become only the third amateur to win on the circuit. Another 62 in Open qualifying at Sunningdale the following season earned him his first major start.

He won again at the 2012 Portugal Masters and two years later was runner-up to Rory McIlroy in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. Finished second again, behind Jon Rahm, after a closing 63 at the 2017 DP World Tour Championship in Dubai and it was McIlroy once more who pushed him into joint second at the RBC Canadian Open on June 9.