The Clara man really enjoyed himself on Sunday after a difficult 'defence' of the title he won at the county Antrim venue in 2019

Shane Lowry's week was hampered by a two-shot penalty in the second round of The Open Championship, but the Irishman bounced back with an impressive finish on Sunday

AND IT WAS on Sunday that Shane Lowry was given a break. Having endured all manner of adversity across the week, Lowry enjoyed the climactic sunshine at Portrush, finishing with a five-under, six-birdie 66 that was illuminated by a hole-out from the fourth fairway.

It was supposed to be a special return to Royal Portrush for the 2019 Open champion, but it has been anything but.

Shane Lowry offered hope to Rory McIlroy and the rest of the chasing pack praying for an uncharacteristic Scottie Scheffler slip by shooting a final-round 66 at The Open.

Scottie Scheffler was grouped with crowd favourite Shane Lowry for the first two rounds of The Open at Royal Portrush. Scheffler was in complete control of his game on Friday, putting himself in a strong position to win golf’s oldest major.

Shane Lowry has been assessed a two-shot penalty for his golf ball moving in the rough on the 12th hole of the British Open.

The most stinging thing that can happen to a golfer, especially in the heat of a major, is a penalty that rewrites their scorecard. On Friday at Royal Portrush, Shane Lowry felt that sting in full force.

At the time, they could not have known, but they were about to create what would become the only golf course outside Great Britain to host The Open Championship not once, but three times. As we approach the 153rd Open Championship,