Shane Lowry Leads Final Round of Irish Open as Patrick Reed Climbs Rankings
Irish Open leader Shane Lowry entered the final round six shots ahead, while Patrick Reed moved to seven under and closed the gap in the Race to Dubai standings.
Shane Lowry opened the final day at the Irish Open in Doonbeg with a six-shot lead, having posted a 65 that followed a course-record 62 the previous round. The Irishman, who has not won an individual title in four years, maintained his advantage with steady play, while his nearest challenger, Denmark’s Jacob Skov Olesen, fell back after a missed birdie attempt.
American Patrick Reed, a three-time Ryder Cup participant, recorded a birdie on the third hole to reach seven under par, positioning himself to extend his lead over Rory McIlroy in the Race to Dubai rankings. Reed’s performance marked a continued rise after a week of modest results.
England’s Alex Fitzpatrick also posted a strong round, birdieing three of his first five holes to tie for fourth place at seven under. Veteran Sergio Garcia, who had struggled early in the tournament, improved to six under through 13 holes, moving into a tie for sixth.
World number two Rory McIlroy, who finished with a 67, said he was disappointed with his overall week but felt his ball-striking was solid and looked forward to the upcoming BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. He noted that his putting had been a challenge on the Irish Open greens.
The final round featured a large crowd, including a brief appearance by U.S. President Donald Trump, and concluded with Lowry seeking his second Irish Open title after his 2009 amateur win.