Shane Lowry faces backlash over ‘deserve to get hit’ comment
Shane Lowry finds himself at the centre of a storm ahead of today’s final round of the Irish Open after a microphone captured him declaring that spectators “deserve to get hit” following a wild tee shot, reports BritPanorama.
The incident occurred on the par-four 18th hole at Trump International Doonbeg during Saturday’s third round, as the 39-year-old was wrapping up an otherwise impressive day’s work.
Lowry’s drive veered sharply to the left, sending the ball towards a cluster of volunteers and fans positioned in the rough behind the ropes. His caddie, Dermot Byrne, immediately bellowed warnings of “Fore!” in their direction.
The group did not move, however, and moments later Lowry was clearly picked up on microphone uttering the remark that has since ignited fierce backlash online. The reaction on social media was swift and unforgiving. “This is scandalous from Shane Lowry!! Should be heavily fined for this comment,” one viewer wrote on X.
Others questioned whether the golfer would have spoken so dismissively earlier in his career. “He would never have said that when he was starting his career off? Paying punters cheering him on. How dare he. The fans deserve an apology. Who does he think he is?” another user posted. One commenter branded it a “disgusting reaction and in keeping with his personality sadly,” adding: “You wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of him. Some role model.”
Several fans demanded financial sanctions, whilst others insisted Lowry must publicly say sorry before accepting any trophy. “If he has anything about him he’ll apologise immediately for that,” one wrote. Not all the reaction was hostile, however. A number of supporters rallied behind Lowry, arguing that the pressure of leading his home national championship had simply boiled over in a moment of frustration.
“Lowry is one of the nicest, most down to earth guys,” one defender wrote. “He’s obviously under huge pressure here and hasn’t patience for silly behaviour.” Others pointed to the disruption caused by the arrival of US President Donald Trump, who landed by helicopter at the Doonbeg course on Saturday afternoon, delaying play during what was already a tense third round.
Lowry has not publicly addressed the remark. Speaking after his round, he confined his comments strictly to the golf. He carries a commanding four-stroke advantage into today’s final round, sitting at 16-under par after a superb 65 on Saturday. Denmark’s Jacob Skov Olesen is his closest pursuer on 12-under.
Should the Offaly man hold his nerve, it would mark a second Irish Open triumph, seventeen years after his famous maiden victory as a 22-year-old amateur. “It’s a big day for me tomorrow. I’m going out leading my home tournament and it would mean the world to me to knock this one off,” he told RTÉ Sport. His tee time is set for 2.05pm this afternoon.
With Trump on-site for the final day, also expected to present the trophy, tensions could run high. In sport, the human aspect often reveals itself in the rawest moments, and today for Lowry, it’s a test of character as much as skill.
