Golf champ Shane Lowry has admitted he will chase the euphoric feeling of raising the Claret Jug for the rest of his career.
The 32-year-old, from Co Offaly, has opened his heart about his tough journey to his first Major win in a new RTE documentary.
Shane reveals the emotional struggle that took him from playing pitch and putt in football boots to lifting the Claret Jug.
Framed by the two Open championships in 2018 and 2019 – one a disaster and the other a triumph – the programme captures all of the sports star’s warmth and humour to tell the heartwarming story of a very special champion.
Shane recalls low points on his journey, from crying in the car park after his disastrous outing at Carnoustie to reading he was “too fat” and “too nice” to ever win a Major.
But he defied critics having failed to make the half-way cut for the previous four years and showing poor form in practice.
Shane admits his birdie on the 15th hole at Royal Portrush in July was the “most pressure” he had felt in his life.
And of the moment he sank his final putt and the crowds erupted, he added: “I’ll probably spend my whole career chasing that feeling again.
“I’ll probably never get it but I hope I come close.”
Shane also recalls tough times when critics wrote him off.
He said: “In one article one guy said I was too fat to win a Major. Another guy said no matter what happened, Shane Lowry is a likeable guy but he’ll never win a Major.”
The uplifting documentary features interviews with the player and his family, as well as golfer Tommy Fleetwood who conceded defeat at the 2019 Open.
Rory McIlroy reveals the text he sent to Shane congratulating him on his win, while Paul McGinley, Graham McDowell and Darren Clarke applaud his remarkable comeback.
His family also recall his rollercoaster journey, with All-Ireland GAA champ dad Brendan admitting he used to avoid his son’s chosen sport at all costs.
He said: “I never played golf, I hated it. When he joined Esker Hills I used to drop him off.”
And Shane’s devoted granny Emmie Scanlon fondly recalls how he was “a divil” who “loved every- thing bar school”.
But she readily admitted: “I’m very proud of him, a little lad that came from a humble family and it’s surprising what things can happen in life, isn’t it?”
Shane was crowned RTE Sportsperson Of The Year and last week landed another accolade when he was named Golfer Of The Year ahead of the European Solheim Cup team by the Association Of Golf Writers.
In a humorous aside, he told the cameras: “I think I do things my own way. I got criticised for it in the past, but there’s not too many critics now.”
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