Shane Lowry is the The Open champion for 2019. An Irishman winning a major on Irish soil, this is one of the biggest achievements in the history of sport on this island.
It is a huge day for golf. It is a huge day for Ireland.
During his victory speech, you could see that the magnitude of his accomplishments had begun to dawn on the champion golfer of the year.
"My mum and dad - they've sacrificed so much for me and I'm so happy I can hand them this trophy tonight."#TheOpen reaction live on Sky Sports The Open or follow online here: https://t.co/OHN23OPuVc pic.twitter.com/JVLc9UCYzh
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 21, 2019
I have so many people to thank really. First of all I'm going to start with the R&A for such a great event. To have an Open Championship here on the island of Ireland at Royal Portrush Golf Club is just amazing.
I love this place, it's one of my favourite places in Ireland. To be able to come up here and play an Open Championship is great...
My family, what can I say? My mum and dad, they sacrificed so much for me when I was younger and I'm so happy that I can hand them this trophy tonight.
My wife and my little girl Iris, to have them here today is extra special. I don't know what to say.
Last, but not least, the volunteers and all the fans, thank you so much. This one's for you!
Speaking to American broadcaster NBC, Lowry said today's round was the most uncomfortable he had ever felt on a golf course.
It didn't show.
https://streamable.com/4n45n
The crowd were just unbelievable. I didn't feel great out there today, it was probably the most uncomfortable I've ever felt on a golf course. You're trying to win an Open in your home country and it's incredibly difficult.
Around the middle of the round when I started to struggle and made a couple of bogeys I looked up at the leaderboard and seen that most people were doing that...
To be honest, it's surreal. I still can't believe it's happening to me. I said it to my caddy walking down the last 'I can't believe this is me standing here, I can't believe this is mine'.
It's just incredible. I've been watching Opens since I was a little kid and to be named champions golfer of the year is just incredible...
I just think it's huge for golf. Everybody knows that we're all one country when it comes to golf. I think it's going to be huge for golf where I grew up, where I'm from, and I'm really excited to get back home and to celebrate back home.
Offaly will be hopping tonight.
