It was not the typical post-round news conference for a golf player who had accomplished an Open Championship feat unaccomplished in 21 years and smashed personal records.
Despite incredible back-to-back eagles at St . Andrews on Saturday, Shane Lowry left the Old Training course bitterly disappointed like a string of skipped putts stunted the Irishman’s third round surge up the leaderboard.
Starting the day tied designed for 25th at four-under par, the 2019 champion had made a steady one-under start before his round exploded into existence at the par-four ninth hole. After a flourishing opening drive acquired put him within the rough to the left from the pin, Lowry frequency in a stunning 43-yard chip for novelty helmet.
Simple minutes later, the particular 35-year-old repeated his eagle feat through three yards more out, finding the tenth hole from the fairway to spark a huge roar from the onlooking crowd.
It made Lowry — who had previously shot just one skull cap in 12 years and 548 openings at The Open — the first golfer since Phil Mickelson from Royal Lytham in 2001 to sink back-to-back eagles on the major, according to ESPN Stats and Info.
He had only eagled 3 times on par-fours within the PGA Tour considering that turning professional in 2009, according to PGA Tour Communications.
Heading into the final eight holes, Lowry’s heroics had appeared set to tee upward a pursuit of 2nd round leader Cameron j. Smith, six strokes ahead at 13-under. Yet despite the birdie finish, 3 bogeys in six holes derailed the Irishman’s charge.
Returning to the clubhouse tied intended for 13th at seven-under after shooting 69, Lowry only briefly touched on his “pretty cool” eagle accomplishment.
“It was good fun when those two went in, however the rest of the day wasn’t so enjoyable, ” he told reporters.
“I feel like I played OK, but it more than likely take Einstein to determine what went wrong on the back 9. My putting had been horrific.
“It’s not good enough if you put in all those hours every day to give your self those chances around the back nine of a major on a Sunday and Sunday so you don’t perform, you have to look at something, inch Lowry added.
Including he was intending to spend the mid-day on the practice placing green beside the 1st tee, Lowry mentioned his performance had left him along with “no chance” associated with challenging for a 2nd Open win.
“I’m so disappointed to be honest because I worked very hard, and I work very hard to get myself within those positions, ” he said.
“If I needed holed anything all week I would still be out there playing. I had created be thereabouts with the leaders… my video game has been good enough just about all week. To be honest, I believe it’s a credit to a game the way I actually fought to be top 20 going into Weekend around here.
“I’m trying my best, I don’t have the answer. Easily did, I more than likely need to go to the placing green now. Yet it’s just difficult, this game is not easy sometimes. ”