Shane Lowry carded a final-round 63 on Sunday to complete a historic performance at his national open with an 11-shot win at the Irish Open at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel.
Lowry broke the record for the event’s largest margin of victory, which had been held by Bernhard Langer with his 10-shot win at Portmarnock Golf Club in 1987.
Lowry, 39, finished the tournament at 23-under par to cruise to his second Irish Open title. His closest competitors were Patrick Reed and Chile’s Joaquin Niemann, who tied for second at 12 under.
After opening with a 67 on Thursday, Lowry went 62-65-63 for a combined 20 under par over the final three rounds. He followed up his course-record 62 in the second round by equaling the low round of the day on Sunday. Lowry also won the event in 2009 as an amateur.
Lowry will pocket $1.02 million for his first victory of 2026 while also rocketing 73 spots to No. 17 in the Race to Dubai standings. Reed is projected to keep the lead.
Rory McIlroy is projected to remain second in the season-long standings despite finishing in a tie for 41st. The Northern Irishman did post his lowest score of the week with a 67 on Sunday, rebounding from a 4-over 74 in the third round. However, the world’s No. 2-ranked player was never a factor this week in his title defense.
“I think overall, I’ve seen enough good stuff this week to give me encouragement going into next week, a golf course that I know well and a golf course that I’ve had success on,” McIlroy said, looking ahead to next week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club in England.
“Obviously it wasn’t the week that I wanted but at the same time, I don’t feel too far away, and I feel good about going into Wentworth next week.”
