Rory McIlroy has reacted to Shane Lowry’s stunning victory at the 2026 Irish Open, as his fellow Irishman produced one of the most dominant performances in the tournament’s history.
Lowry put on a spectacular display at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, finishing the tournament at 23 under par and winning by an incredible 11 shots. The victory gave Lowry his second Irish Open title, 17 years after he famously won the tournament as an amateur in 2009. (AP News)
McIlroy, who entered the tournament as the defending champion, was unable to challenge for another title after finishing tied for 41st. However, his attention quickly turned to Lowry and the remarkable opportunity in front of his fellow Irishman.
Before the final round, McIlroy had already made it clear that he was hoping Lowry could complete the job after building a four shot lead through the opening three rounds.
“We’re all cheering him on,” McIlroy said, backing his friend to finish the week with a victory. (The Irish Sun)
That support became even more meaningful after Lowry went on to completely pull away from the field on Sunday.
Lowry started the final round with a four shot advantage but showed no signs of allowing the pressure to affect him. He produced a seven under par 63 to finish on 23 under, turning what had been a competitive tournament into a runaway victory.
His final score also surpassed the previous Irish Open scoring record, while his 11 shot winning margin broke Bernhard Langer’s long standing record of 10 shots from 1987. (AP News)
For McIlroy, the result was particularly special because of what the victory meant for Irish golf and for Lowry personally.
Lowry had endured a difficult period leading into the tournament, with several missed opportunities and disappointing results. His victory at Doonbeg therefore represented much more than simply another trophy.
It was a return to winning form on one of the biggest stages, in front of his home supporters, and against a strong international field.
The atmosphere around the tournament had already been unusual because of the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump, whose family owns the Doonbeg resort. Trump watched the final and later presented Lowry with the trophy. (Reuters)
Despite the unusual attention surrounding the event, Lowry remained focused on his golf and produced an extraordinary week.
He opened with a 67 before following it with a course record 62 in the second round. A 65 on Saturday gave him a four shot advantage heading into the final round, and he finished the job with another brilliant 63. (AP News)
McIlroy’s own week was far less successful, but his support for Lowry added another layer to what became an unforgettable Irish Open.
The two have shared plenty of memorable moments in Irish golf and have represented their country together on some of the biggest stages in the sport. Seeing Lowry dominate his national open in front of a home crowd was therefore a moment McIlroy clearly appreciated.
Lowry’s victory also ended a four year wait for an individual title on the PGA or DP World Tours. His last individual victory had come at the 2022 BMW PGA Championship, making the Irish Open triumph an especially significant moment in his career. (The Irish Sun)
And rather than simply winning, Lowry did it in spectacular fashion.
An 11 shot victory is almost unheard of at this level, particularly at a national open featuring several major champions and some of the world’s best players.
Patrick Reed and Joaquin Niemann finished tied for second, but neither could get anywhere close to Lowry once the Irishman began pulling away. (AP News)
For Irish golf fans, it was the perfect ending to a dramatic week.
McIlroy may not have been anywhere near the top of the leaderboard on Sunday, but his support for Lowry reflected the excitement surrounding the home favourite.
Lowry delivered exactly what the Irish crowd had hoped for, and he did so in a way that will be remembered for years.
From his course record 62 to his final round 63, the Irishman was simply in another class.
And with McIlroy among those cheering him on, Lowry’s historic Irish Open triumph became an even more special moment for Irish golf.
