Shane Lowry had an interesting day at the British Open in Round 2, and it wasn’t without controversy for the man returning to the site of his lone career major win.
Lowry, the 2019 Open champion at Royal Portrush, isn’t having as good of a time the second time around. The Ireland native was a bit grumpy at points during his second round in Northern Ireland, with hot mics appearing to catch him say how much he (expletive) hates the place … despite having won there in 2019.
As some pointed out, Lowry’s loud and NSFW critiques of the course have become something of a hallmark for him at this point.
The more pressing issue for Lowry, was a rules violation on the par-5 12th hole. As Lowry was taking a practice swing, cameras zoomed in on his golf ball appeared to catch the ball moving.
Shane Lowry Gets 2-Stroke Penalty After Second Round
Lowry put his club behind the ball to check the lie. He then took the club back for a quick practice swing. As he took the swing and was going to dry off his club, the ball moved ever so slightly.
Rules officials from the R&A were expected to speak with Lowry about the apparent incident after he completed his second round. Ultimately, Lowry was assessed a two-stroke penalty for the infraction.
Lowry walked off the course following the second round at 2-under with a 1-under 70 for the day. Instead, his card now reads “7” for No. 12, and he finished the day with a 1-over 72 that puts him at even for the tournament.
Thankfully all involved, Lowry was able to steer it in without any major blow-ups, so the stroke does not cost him the weekend.
“I told them I definitely was looking down toward then ball as I was taking my practice swing, and I didn’t see it move, but I had to take the penalty,” Lowry said after the round, per Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine. “I’m still not sure whether it was or not, but I had to take the penalty because I can’t have my name tossed around like that
The projected cut was going down to the wire at 1- or 2-over, so the penalty didn’t cost him in that regard. It obviously makes it even more difficult for him to stage a weekend comeback with Scottie Scheffler (who defended Lowry after the round) taking the 36-hole lead at 10-under following a brilliant 64 in the second round.
Oddly enough, it’s the second consecutive major in which the 38-year-old was penalized. He took a one-stroke penalty at the U.S. Open in June after picking up his ball on the green before marking it. At that point, though, he was not even close to contention at Oakmont Country Club.
Lowry Needs Another Big Saturday at Portrush
The saving grace for Lowry might be that one brief bit of history from 2019. He already was tied for the lead with J.B. Holmes heading into the weekend, but he lifted and separated in Round 3 in a big way. Lowry broke the remodeled course record by firing his own 7-under 63 to put four strokes between him and Tommy Fleetwood going into the final round.
Lowry then grinded out a 72 in the final round when there weren’t many red numbers out there to claim the Claret Jug for his first career major.
Potty-Mouthed Shane Lowry Penalized After Round 2 at British Open