Irish golfer Shane Lowry has expressed his concerns about the potential backlash he could face on social media after accepting a two-stroke penalty during The Open Championship. The 38-year-old, who previously claimed victory at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland in 2019, found his chances of repeating that success hindered by a controversial incident during the 12th hole of his second round.
The R&A, the governing body that organizes The Open Championship, ruled that Lowry’s ball had moved after his club made contact with nearby foliage during a practice swing for his second shot from the rough on the par-five hole. This moment was captured by broadcast cameras, leading to a lengthy review of approximately 20 minutes. The R&A ultimately concluded that the ball had moved in a “clear” manner that was visible to the naked eye, resulting in a one-shot penalty. Additionally, Lowry incurred another stroke penalty for playing the ball from the incorrect location, causing his overall score to shift from two-under to even-par.
Lowry expressed disappointment over the incident, stating that he would have penalized himself had he seen the ball move. He noted the lack of comprehensive camera angles, particularly a full-length shot, which could have provided clarity regarding the situation. “I told them I definitely was looking down towards the ball as I was taking that practice swing, and I didn’t see it move,” Lowry said. After the penalty, he signed for a double bogey on the 12th hole and a one-over 72 in his second round.
Addressing the ruling, Lowry remarked, “A little bit … (but) if the ball moved and I caused it to move, it’s a two-shot penalty.” He emphasized the importance of maintaining his reputation, stating, “The last thing I want to do is sit there and argue and not take the penalty and then get slaughtered all over social media tonight for being a cheat.”
Lowry received support from his playing partner and tournament leader, Scottie Scheffler, who acknowledged the challenging situation Lowry faced. Scheffler refrained from commenting on whether he believed the penalty was justified, but he expressed empathy for Lowry's predicament. “From what I looked at very briefly on the video, it looked like it was very difficult to see if the ball moved,” Scheffler stated after his impressive 64, placing him in a strong position heading into the weekend. He added, “He handled it really well. It’s obviously very frustrating for him.”
Former Ryder Cup captain and Lowry’s compatriot Paul McGinley weighed in on the matter, noting that while he understood the R&A's decision, there should be “a little bit more leeway” in how rulings are applied. He likened the situation to VAR in soccer, where technicalities can sometimes lead to harsh outcomes. “It’s very frustrating. I watched that live and I didn’t notice anything,” McGinley shared. He emphasized the complexities of outdoor sports and the need for more leniency in certain situations.
After being informed of the potential two-shot penalty while walking down the 15th fairway, Lowry shifted his focus from moving up the leaderboard to simply making the cut. Despite the setback, he managed to secure a birdie and finished with a string of pars, ultimately concluding the round one shot above the cut line. However, he found himself 10 shots behind world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
Reflecting on the situation, Lowry stated, “Eight shots behind Scottie Scheffler isn’t in the fringes of contention the way he’s playing.” Despite the disappointment of the penalty, he remains optimistic: “It’s a disappointing thing to happen to me, but that’s golf. Onwards and upwards, and give it a run this weekend.”
