Shane Lowry simply stored leaping, simply stored operating in circles, simply stored pumping his fists and clenching his arms and roaring his manner across the 18th inexperienced — anybody who’d roar proper again at him.
His 6-foot putt, with a whole grandstand filled with American followers praying for a comeback and European followers begging for something apart from a historic collapse, had settled into the outlet, securing the ultimate half-point wanted for Europe to retain the Ryder Cup.
And that second turned Lowry, the No. 24 golfer on the earth who turned a villain Saturday and fielded taunts about his weight, right into a Ryder Cup hero.
He’d received large tournaments earlier than.
In 2019, he celebrated a British Open title in his house nation of Eire.
That, he stated, was a “dream come true.”
However that is the Ryder Cup, the marquee stage of the golf calendar each two years and one thing Lowry received in 2023, too.
“The Ryder Cup, to me,” Lowry stated earlier than Europe earned its last two half-points in a 15-13 win, “is all the pieces.”
Sunday afternoon, he stated, contained the “hardest couple hours in my complete life.”
He teared up in an on-course interview.
He shared an emotional embrace along with his father, Brendan.
He wrapped an Eire flag round his neck in the course of the trophy presentation and ended his weekend and not using a loss at 1-0-2.
However that wasn’t all the time assured.
Russell Henley was 2-up with 4 to play Sunday.
Lowry entered the 18th nonetheless down a gap, and simply because it appeared he’d caught a break when Henley’s tee shot sailed right into a bunker, the American redirected his second shot onto the inexperienced anyway.
As he walked down 18, Lowry turned to his caddie, Darren Reynolds, and stated, “I’ve an opportunity to do the good factor in my life right here.” Henley proceeded to overlook a birdie putt. And Lowry ensured that he transformed his try.
“I imply, I’ve been so fortunate to expertise superb issues on this recreation,” Lowry stated. “… I simply can’t consider that putt went in.”
It was ironic, in a manner, that Lowry had an opportunity to clinch the Ryder Cup and supply the ultimate blow to American followers.
Tensions boiled over Saturday throughout his four-ball match with Rory McIlroy, and whereas McIlroy took the brunt of the heckles and taunts and slurs, Lowry additionally fielded some about his weight.
Further safety was added to his match — in addition to the others within the afternoon — and further messages about fan conduct appeared on video boards across the course, and people measures remained in place throughout singles matches.
Lowry received the final giggle. And on the subsequent Ryder Cup, when it shifts to Adare Manor in Eire and if he’s again on Europe’s roster for a fourth time, Lowry would be the hero.
“It’ll be a bit of bit nicer than taking part in right here,” Lowry stated. “I do know that.”
