Shane Lowry

Marked the Open Championship’s return to Irish soil for the first time since 1951 with the performance of his life at Royal Portrush in 2019

In the performance of his life at Royal Portrush, Lowry marched into a four-stroke lead with a spectacular third-round 63 and turned that into a six-shot victory on the final day.

The winner of the Irish Open as a 22-year-old amateur in 2009 – only two other amateurs had won a DP World Tour event before him – he led the 2016 U.S. Open by four after 54 holes, but on that occasion he was overtaken by Dustin Johnson.

Lowry began 2019 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 there was later named the DP World Tour's Shot of the Year.

His Irish Open success at County Louth included a 10-under 62 that equalled the lowest score by an amateur in Tour history.

He tied for fourth in May’s PGA Championship at Kiawah Island and as a wild card selection for his first Ryder Cup in September partnered Tyrell Hatton to a memorable fourball win over Harris English and Tony Finau.

Lowry impressed on the Major stage again in April when he finished joint third at the Masters.