Shane Lowry fights tears in message to daughter after Irish Open win in own Katie Taylor moment as Trump presents trophy

SHANE LOWRY fought back tears as he delivered a touching message to his daughter after completing a stunning Irish Open triumph at Doonbeg.

The Offaly star also admitted he was almost lost for words after bagging his second Irish Open crown as US President Donald Trump watched on at his golf resort in Clare

Lowry finished the week on a sensational 23-under, sealing his second national open title 17 years after famously winning as an amateur at Baltray in Co Louth.

His victory at President Trump’s stunning west Clare links was a record-breaking one, with Lowry’s 11-shot demolition of the field surpassing Bernhard Langer’s ten-stroke winning margin at Dublin’s Portmarnock in 1987.

And after rolling in a 29-foot putt at the last to put the finishing touch on his victory, Lowry reflected on a year which has not always been straightforward.

Lowry had taken a commanding advantage into the closing stretch but revealed he deliberately avoided keeping too close an eye on the leaderboard.

It was only after another birdie at the 15th that he finally asked his caddie just how comfortable their position was.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “I mean, this year has been quite difficult on the course for me. I’ve had a few chances to win and I took some really tough times.

“And yeah, to come here this week and do this, like, come on. I don’t know, I just don’t do things by half measures.

“I can’t believe I’m standing here at that leaderboard. Oh my God.

“I said to my caddie, I didn’t know how I was doing. I said to him on 15, after I holed that birdie putt, ‘How are we doing? How far ahead are we?’

“He said, ‘Far enough.’ So I was happy with that.

“Look, a lot of things went right for me, but this has been the most spectacular week. I think everything about it, it’s just mad. I can’t believe it.

“My mum was just standing there. It’s been unreal.”

Lowry’s wife Wendy and their children were back at the family home in Florida, but they were never far from his thoughts during the celebrations.

The Irishman revealed that he took inspiration from Katie Taylor’s farewell win at Croke Park last week as he opened up on what the triumph meant to him and his daughters.

Lowry was in the crowd as the ‘Bray Bomber’ brought the curtain down on her legendary boxing career in front of her home support.

He emotionally added: “My wife and my kids are back in Florida. When things are not going well at this level, it’s hard at home as well.

“But my wife’s been a huge support, and my kids, and I just love them so much. I’m so happy for them.

“I can’t wait to bring a trophy home. My daughters always ask me, ‘When are you going to bring a trophy home?’

“So yes, I’m going to bring one home. She’s going to be absolutely delighted with that.

“Obviously Portrush was incredible. Bethpage last year was incredible and I keep feeling like I can’t better it.

“But this is just – look at this.

“I sat in Croke Park last Saturday night watching Katie Taylor with almost a little bit of jealousy, what she was achieving and getting to do it in front of her home fans.

“And I got to do this this week. This is incredible. I’m so happy. It means a lot. It means a lot.

The 39-year-old also admitted difficult spells on the course can also take their toll away from golf – and paid tribute to the support he has received from his family and coaches.

The teary-eyed Irishman concluded: “I honestly am speechless. It’s hard to talk. I just can’t believe I’ve just done that and done it the way I’ve done it as well.

“I’ve had to fight a few demons off over the past few months on the course when you get yourself into contention.

“I did take some time away the last few weeks. I worked pretty hard. I got all my team over to Florida and we worked hard.

“And this just shows you what hard work can do.”

US President Trump then presented Lowry with the Irish Open trophy on the 18th green before addressing the packed galleries at Doonbeg.

The American leader congratulated the Offaly star on his dominant victory as the celebrations continued around the West Clare links.

Crowds also cheered on Trump and chanted “USA” as he told them he was removing tariffs from Irish whiskey during a speech following Lowry’s victory.

He said he had discussed the matter with the Taoiseach, adding: “Everybody’s been bugging me.

“They are saying would you do me a favour? It’s so unfair what’s going on.

“Could you possibly take the tariffs off of Irish whiskey and I said, on behalf of the United States of America, I am going to take the tariffs off Irish whiskey.”

His 11-stroke victory will firmly banished the ghosts of his late collapses at the Dubai Invitational and Cognizant Classic earlier this season.

The final round 63 would complete a remarkable week for Lowry, who opened with a 67 before smashing the Doonbeg course record with a 62 on Friday and following that with Saturday’s brilliant 65.

And 17 years after winning the tournament as an amateur in County Louth, the home hero once again got his hands on the prestigious trophy.

The champion pockets more than $1million from the tournament’s overall $6million purse, which has remained at that level since 2022.

He also collects 835 Race to Dubai points as well as 250 vital Ryder Cup qualification points for the Adare Manor showdown next year.

The Irish Open boasts one of the biggest prize funds on the regular DP World Tour schedule outside the Majors and Rolex Series events.

Runner-up and Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed is due $660,000, while both third and fourth place carry paydays north of $300,000.

All those inside the top 12 on the leaderboard are in line for six-figure sums.