Today was a fantastic day for Irish golf.
Not only will Shane Lowry's win at the BMW PGA Championship be a massively popular one in this country, but the way he duked it out with Rory McIlroy during the final holes shows that there will be a pair of Irishman competing right at the top of the sport for the foreseeable future.
Lowry nosed in front of his good friend heading into the back nine, but there was always a sense that the recent FedEx Cup winner would make his move at some point.
In the end, it would come down to the final hole.
Lowry needed at least a birdie to take sole possession of the lead, with McIlroy one shot further back on -15. The Offaly native would step up and hit a beautiful approach shot to give himself an eagle opportunity.
Step up @ShaneLowryGolf ☘️💪#BMWPGA | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/XPmk9sQQas
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 11, 2022
He would two-putt from there to take the lead.
That left McIlroy requiring an eagle on the 18th to force a play-off. He came agonisingly close to getting it, with his effort a matter of inches from dropping into the hole.
The agony and ecstasy of sport at the highest level.#BMWPGA | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/GPpMhx8Z2B
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Shane Lowry would be crowned champion as a result.
Shane Lowry & Rory McIlroy share touching moment at Wentworth
Of course, Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy are good friends. The pair live near each other in Florida and have grown very close over the years.
Not only have they teamed up to represent both Ireland and Europe, but they have been known to celebrate each other's wins.
While McIlroy no doubt would have been hugely disappointed with how this tournament finished for him, he was quick to congratulate his friend on a fantastic achievement.
The two shared an embrace after he made his way off the course, with Lowry quick to crack a joke and point out that the Holywood native had probably already won his fair share of events this year.
Two great friends. Two great champions. @McIlroyRory 🤝 @ShaneLowryGolf #BMWPGA | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/jNRya5vWFw
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 11, 2022
Lowry: I don't know how that missed.
McIlroy: I'm happy for you, you deserve one here.
Lowry: You've won enough anyway!
A nice moment.
Lowry also brought up McIlroy's close miss after accepting the trophy, saying: "I don't know how Rory's putt missed, but I'm pretty happy that it did!"
This was Shane Lowry's first tournament win since The Open in 2019 having had a number of close calls in recent times.
While McIlroy will be disappointed not to at least force a play-off, you get the feeling that there isn't anybody else in professional golf that he would prefer to see beat him.
SEE ALSO: 'This Is One For The Good Guys' - Shane Lowry Sends LIV Golf Message After BMW Win
