Amgen Irish Open: Shane Lowry secures record 11-stroke victory at Trump International Links in Doonbeg
Shane Lowry cards eight birdies in final-round 63, including one at the 18th to sign off his stunning triumph in style; Rory McIlory defiant, saying "I don't feel too far away" after signing off disappointing title defence with a round of 67 to finish one under
Sunday 13 September 2026 19:31, UK
Shane Lowry stormed to a record 11-shot victory at the Amgen Irish Open, the home crowd favourite shooting a seven-under 63 on Sunday to finish a staggering 23 under par.
It's Lowry's seventh career title and his second Irish Open triumph, following his 2009 victory as a 22-year-old amateur, with US President Donald Trump presenting him with the trophy.
It's a welcome return to the winner's circle for Lowry after a series of agonising near-misses earlier this season, including a double-bogey on the final hole that cost him the Dubai Invitational by two strokes and a collapse at the Cognizant Classic, where he surrendered a three-stroke lead with three holes to play by closing with two double-bogeys.
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The result was never in doubt at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, however, as Lowry - holding a four-shot lead heading into Sunday - extended his advantage with a superb final round, while Trump watched on for the second consecutive day.
Jacob Skov Olesen, Lowry's closest challenger at 12 under and four shots back overnight, slipped down the leaderboard with a three-over 73. Patrick Reed's closing 64 and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen's 63 were impressive enough to earn them second and third respectively, but Lowry had already surged clear.
The 39-year-old carded eight birdies and just one bogey, at the ninth, with a pair of stunning 45-foot putts at the par-three seventh and par-four 15th sending the watching crowd into a frenzy. He capped the victory in style with another long-range birdie at the 18th.
Lowry hails 'spectacular week' | 'I can't wait to bring a trophy home'
"This year has been quite difficult on the course for me," an emotional Lowry said after his triumph. "I've had a few chances to win, and there's been some really tough times.
"To come here this week and do this, I don't do things by half measures! I can't believe I'm standing here with that leaderboard.
"This has been the most spectacular week. It has been unreal.
"When things are not going well at this level, it's hard at home as well, but my wife's been a huge support, and my kids. I just love them so much and I'm so happy for them. I can't wait to bring a trophy home.
"My daughter is always ask me when you're going to bring a trophy home. So, yes, I'm going to bring one home."
Lowry had taken such a sizeable advantage into Sunday in large part thanks to breaking the course record with a second-round 62 on Friday,
Joaquin Niemann took a share of second with Reed on 12 under, with Neergaard-Petersen one back.
England's Alex Fitzpatrick was tied-seventh at nine under, a closing 64 from Sergio Garcia had him six under, on the same score as Robert MacIntyre and Matt Wallace, among others.
Jon Rahm finished four under and reigning champion Rory McIlroy rounded off a disappointing week with his best round of 67 to end his title defence one under.
McIlroy takes positives from disappointing defence: 'I don't feel too far away'
McIlroy said his final round has given him some encouragement to take into next week at the BMW Championship at Wentworth, a tournament he won in 2014 and has been runner-up at three times since.
"I've seen enough good stuff this week to give me encouragement going into next week," McIlroy said. "It's a golf course that I know well and one I've had success on.
"Obviously this wasn't the week that I wanted but, at the same time, I don't feel too far away and I feel good going into Wentworth.
"I thought I hit the ball pretty well for the most part. A couple of bad decisions off the tees yesterday but, overall, my iron play was a lot better, my wedge play was pretty good for the most part and obviously it was a struggle on the greens.
"That was the difficult thing and why I wasn't able to get myself into contention. I need a little bit of time on the putting green the next couple days and to get familiar with the greens at Wentworth again."
What's next?
The DP World Tour heads to Wentworth in Surrey next for the BMW PGA Championship.
Watch extended live coverage from all four rounds of the DP World Tour's Flagship Event, with Featured Groups live from 7.30am on Thursday. Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream golf with no contract
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