Shane Lowry says winning a first major golf title at The Open has fulfilled a childhood dream.
The Offaly man claimed victory by six shots at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, becoming the fifth Irish man to win the major.
He'd missed the cut at the event for the past four years.
His success has propelled him to 17th place in the world rankings and he takes home a cheque for 1.7 million euro.
Shane Lowry's father Brendan, who was an All-Ireland Football winner with Offaly in 1982 says he can't believe it: 'Everybody was crying, you'd think something serious had happened. It's just unbelievable'.
The winner of The 148th Open and the Champion Golfer of the Year is Shane Lowry 🇮🇪 #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/oKkTTiHfgP
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 21, 2019
President Michael D Higgins says the "victory was not only a great personal achievement but an historic win."
"This victory was not only a great personal achievement but an historic win."
President Michael D. Higgins congratulates Shane Lowry on victory in the Open Championship: https://t.co/Mf79GhGACN #TheOpen @ShaneLowryGolf pic.twitter.com/sjv5uKEnyh— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) July 21, 2019
