Ireland”s Lowry wins maiden Open Championship title

TIL Desk Sports/ Ireland”s Shane Lowry won his first Grand Slam championship as he held his nerve in a tense battle with England”s Tommy Fleetwood at the 148th Open in Royal Portrush. Sunday”s victory tasted sweeter for a man from the island considering The Open is returning to Northern Ireland for the first time since 1951.

The 32-year-old had built enough of a lead that he could enjoy the greatest walk in golf up the 18th fairway knowing the Claret Jug was waiting for him, and has become just the second Irishman to lift it, after Padraig Harrington.

He eventually signed for a score of 72 which saw him end the Championship at -15 and Fleetwood could only shake the new Champion Golfer”s hand as he finished six strokes back. American Tony Finau produced a superb level-par 71 to finish third at -7.