Worldwide Golf

SHANE Lowry defied his status as an amateur as he defeated the in-form Robert Rock in sudden-death to win The 3 Irish Open at County Louth Golf Club.

Lowry looked to have the tournament in the bag when he pitched to four feet on the final hole of regulation but he missed the putt which would have sealed victory.

“I didn't think I would have a better chance than that,” he admitted afterwards. But thankfully for the 22-year-old he did – at the third extra hole – and he took it to complete a dream victory.

Rock missed a nine footer for victory at the first play-off hole and the pair shared the next in birdies. However, on their third trip down the 18^th Rock pitched over the green and failed to get up and down leaving Lowry with a tap-in par for victory.

“I can’t believe it - this is going to take a long time to sink in,” said Lowry, who was playing in his first European Tour event.

Rock had to settle for this third runner-up finish of the season but took home the first prize cheque of €500,000 as Lowry was ineligible to prize money. “It is a little bit of a consolation,” said Rock who was quick to congratulate his victor. “It’s absolutely unbelievable what Shane’s done. So I’m happy for him.”