Shane Lowry issued an apology after losing his temper with a cameraman during the second round of The Open at Royal Troon. The Irish golfer, who is the 2019 champion, launched a foul-mouthed tirade at the broadcast operator on the 11th hole after his second shot found the bushes.
The incident occurred when Lowry was preparing to play his second shot from the rough. He asked the cameraman to move back, but the operator raised his camera as Lowry began his swing. The distraction contributed to a mishit that ended up in trouble, prompting Lowry to yell, “Just get back there. F*** sake.”
After the round, Lowry reflected on the episode, acknowledging his own fault for not stepping away. “I asked him to stop or move back, and he just kind of stayed there,” he said. “As it was over, he put his camera up. I kind of saw it out of the corner of my eye, and I should have stood off it.” The drama deepened when a spectator found the original ball in a bush, forcing Lowry to play it and ultimately take a double bogey.
Despite the setback, Lowry regrouped to shoot a second-round 69, leaving him at seven under par and in the clubhouse lead. He birdied the 16th and 18th holes to regain momentum, demonstrating composure that he credited with keeping his Open hopes alive. “I felt like I was very calm and composed,” he said of the 11th-hole ordeal. “To be honest, I was happy enough leaving there with a six. It wasn't a disaster.”
Lowry, known for occasionally letting emotions get the better of him, said the experience has taught him to stay ready for any challenge. “You get on with it better than other times. Almost ready for anything that's thrown at me, I feel like I'm ready to take it on the chin and move on,” he added. The 37-year-old now sits in prime position to challenge for a second Claret Jug as the tournament heads into the weekend.
