Champion of the 2019 Open at Royal Portrush, two-time Irish Open champion, and three-time Ryder Cup player: Shane Lowry, a master of the short game and the wind, shares his secrets around the greens.
Shane Lowry is the 2019 Open champion, having won the tournament on home soil in Ireland at Royal Portrush. A player with exceptional touch around the greens and a true expert at playing in windy conditions, he shares his secrets for the short game and shot trajectory here. Here is his biography, his list of achievements, the keys to his game, and summaries of his video lessons.
Who is Shane Lowry?
Shane Lowry is an Irish golfer, born on April 2, 1987, and originally from Clara, County Offaly. He learned to play golf at the Esker Hills Golf Club and made a spectacular name for himself in May 2009: while still an amateur, he won the Irish Open on his very first appearance on the European Tour, defeating Robert Rock on the third hole of a playoff. He turned pro the following week.
He currently plays on the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour. Ever since his amateur days, he has been working with the same coach, Scotsman Neil Manchip, director of high performance at Golf Ireland. On the course, he’s recognizable by his black-and-white outfits, the colors of the Clara Gaelic Sports Club.
Shane Lowry's Career Highlights
After the 2009 Irish Open, Shane Lowry won the Portugal Masters in 2012, then the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in 2015, two strokes ahead of Bubba Watson, which earned him a spot on the PGA Tour. In 2016, he finished second at the U.S. Open at Oakmont.
The highlight of his career came in July 2019 at Royal Portrush: a 63 in the third round—a course record—followed by a victory with a six-stroke lead over Tommy Fleetwood. He then won the 2022 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, one stroke ahead Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm, followed by the 2024 Zurich Classic as part of a team with McIlroy. In September 2026, at Doonbeg, he won his second Irish Open by 11 strokes, a tournament record.
| Tournament or Record | Result |
|---|---|
| Major Tournament | The 2019 Open Championship (Royal Portrush) |
| PGA Tour Victories | 3 (2015 WGC-Bridgestone, 2019 Open Championship, 2024 Zurich Classic with Rory McIlroy) |
| Wins on the DP World Tour | 7, including the 2022 BMW PGA Championship |
| Irish Open | 2009 (amateur) and 2026 (11 strokes ahead, a record) |
| Ryder Cup | 2021, 2023, and 2025 (two European titles) |
| Olympic Games | Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, for Ireland |
| Record in a major key | 62 in the third round of the 2024 PGA Championship, tying the record |
At the Ryder Cup, Shane Lowry had a memorable moment at Bethpage in 2025: a birdie putt of about two meters on the 18th hole of his singles match against Russell Henley, which earned the half-point that ensured Europe would retain the trophy.
Shane Lowry's Game
Shane Lowry's Short Game
Shane Lowry's short game is his greatest strength. Around the greens, he doesn’t look for a single shot: he assesses the ball’s position, the slope, and the grass, then chooses between several trajectories—a rolling shot or a lofted shot. In his lessons, he emphasizes simple checks before each pitch and a grip suited to short pitch shots. His lessons on wedge play and’Pitch Shots are among the most useful for a hobbyist.
Wind and Trajectory
Shane Lowry, an Irishman raised on links courses, knows how to work with the wind rather than fight it. He explains how he adapts his swing to make the ball fly and how he varies the height of his iron shots, even going so far as to play a high 3-iron or a low 3-iron. This is an excellent addition to the topics Course Management and irons.
A touch player
His swing isn't the most conventional on the tour, and he's proud of it: Shane Lowry plays by feel, with a simple pre-shot routine. For the amateur, the lesson is reassuring: you can win a major with a unique swing, as long as you master your ball flight and short game.
Lessons on Best Golf Tips
Shane Lowry's lessons selected for Best Golf Tips will soon be summarized on this page. In the meantime, check out the site's best lessons on the same topics: Wedge play = Pitching and Chipping, Pitch Shots, irons: compress the ball, Course Management and Range Practice. You can also compare his approach with that of his partner at the 2024 Zurich Classic, Rory McIlroy, or through the touch of Seve Ballesteros.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shane Lowry: Career Highlights, Short Game, Wind, and Golf Lessons on Video
How old is Shane Lowry?
Shane Lowry was born on April 2, 1987, in Ireland; he is 39 years old.
How many majors has Shane Lowry won?
One: The 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, with a six-stroke lead over Tommy Fleetwood.
How many tournaments has Shane Lowry won?
Eight professional victories: three on the PGA Tour and seven on the DP World Tour (some count toward both tours, such as the 2019 Open and the 2015 WGC-Bridgestone).
Did Shane Lowry win the Irish Open?
Yes, twice: in 2009, when he was still an amateur, and then in September 2026 at Doonbeg, with an 11-stroke lead—a tournament record.
How many Ryder Cups has Shane Lowry played in?
Three: 2021, 2023, and 2025. At Bethpage in 2025, his birdie on the 18th hole against Russell Henley ensured that Europe retained the Ryder Cup.
Who is Shane Lowry's coach?
Neil Manchip of Scotland, who has been his coach since his amateur days and serves as Golf Ireland's director of high performance.
Why does Shane Lowry play in black and white?
These are the colors of the Gaelic sports club in Clara, her hometown.
