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Shane Lowry defends controversial comments directed at Irish Open volunteers
Published 09:55 14 Sept 2026 BST
Updated 09:55 14 Sept 2026 BST
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The one sour note from Shane Lowry's 11-shot Irish Open victory came on the 18th hole during his third. round.
After hooking a drive left, Lowry was caught on the mic saying 'they deserved to get hit', in reference to stewards standing just off the fairway.
However, after receiving stick online for his actions, Lowry defended himself in an interview with the Irish Examiner.
He said: “It’s funny, right, because marshals obviously have a very tough job and they are volunteers.
“But they get a little bit in the way at times, I feel like. And 18 was just two guys going across the fairway as I’m trying to hit the shot and it’s playing really hard.
“There’s another guy walking… but any ways, you have to do a little bit yourself. But it was carnage out there. I did get a little bit…
“The 18th tee shot for me, I practiced on Monday. I hit a tee shot 50 yards left out-of-bounds and for the rest of the week that’s all I could think about on that tee. It was quite an anxious tee box for me.
“And even today, I had a 10-shot lead, and I was like, I just can’t wait to get this tee shot over and done with.”
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