Shane Lowry Hails BMW Championship Triumph

Shane Lowry described his victory at the BMW PGA Championship as a “victory for the good guys”” as he displayed impeccable play, edging out Ryder Cup teammates John RAM and Rory McIlroy at Wentworth.

RAM set the Club’s test target at 16 points below par after a staggering final round of 62: the former US Open champion won two Eagles and seven Birdies and covered nine defenders in just 29 minutes, despite a scarecrow on the 15th.

However, Lowry responded with an eagle and five birdies in the final match of the 65th round, finishing 17th youngest, the former Open champion did not miss a single bogey in a tournament reduced to 54 holes after losing Friday’s match after the passed away of the queen.

McIlroy found he needed to take 18th to force a playoff with Lowry, but saw his 23-footer finish a few millimeters to the right of the hole.

The tournament was attended by 18 players from the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series – American Talor Gooch was their top finisher in fourth place – and Lowry said earlier this week that he “couldn’t stand” their presence on the field.

“I haven’t made a secret of how I felt about any of this,” Lowry said. “I wanted to win in the first place for myself, but for everyone who has stayed loyal to this Tour, I really feel like this is a Tour for the good guys.”

Lowry, runner-up after McIlroy at Wentworth in 2014, added: “It means a lot.

“It’s been a good year, but I felt like I was close to that a few times and there were only a few tournaments left this season and I really wanted to win one and this one was first on the list.

“I am so happy. I cannot express in words how happy I am, how much I love this round, this tournament. Now I am the happiest man in the world.

“I came in at 16 and tried to overcome it, but I had to worry about Rory behind me, he could do anything on the last holes, how good he was. I just tried my best to beat the shots, I told my coach that I had to allow myself to play golf. I’m playing the best golf of my life and I’ve done it.

A frustrated McIlroy, who scored the final 67, said: “I’m fine. I think Shane’s win softens the blow.

“If it was someone else, I might not feel as comfortable as I do now. Seeing a friend win is always great and I’m really happy for him.