Shane Lowry has walked away with a huge payday after producing one of the most dominant performances in Irish Open history at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg.
The Irishman claimed his second Irish Open title on Sunday after completing a remarkable week with a final-round 63, finishing the tournament at 23-under par and winning by a staggering 11 shots.
His victory not only secured another major moment in his career but also earned him the biggest share of the tournament’s $6 million prize purse.
Lowry’s winner’s cheque is $1.02 million, representing 17 percent of the total prize fund. The payout was confirmed in the tournament’s final prize-money breakdown.
The 39-year-old was in control throughout the final round and never allowed the chasing pack to seriously threaten his lead. He finished with a seven-under-par 63, adding another outstanding round to a week in which he had already produced a course-record 62.
His final score of 23-under par also saw him set a new tournament scoring record, while his 11-shot winning margin surpassed the previous record of 10 shots set by Bernhard Langer in 1987.
LOWRY’S HUGE PAYDAY
Lowry’s $1.02 million prize represents a significant reward for what was arguably the most impressive performance of his season.
The Irish Open has carried a $6 million purse, with the winner receiving 17 percent of the total. The runner-up receives $660,000, while third place is worth $378,000.
Lowry’s victory also came on home soil, making the achievement even more significant for the former Open champion.
He first won the Irish Open in 2009 as an amateur at Baltray. Seventeen years later, he returned to the winner’s circle as a professional in spectacular fashion.
REED AND NIEMANN SHARE SECOND
Patrick Reed and Joaquin Niemann finished tied for second after both ended the tournament 11 shots behind Lowry.
The pair each earned $660,000 from the prize fund.
Their second-place finishes were still enough to secure substantial paydays, although neither could come close to matching Lowry’s remarkable advantage at the top of the leaderboard.
Reed’s result also has significance in the wider DP World Tour season, with the American continuing to strengthen his position at the top of the Race to Dubai standings.
HOW MUCH DID THE OTHER TOP PLAYERS EARN?
Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen finished fourth and collected $300,000.
Gregorio De Leo and Tom McKibbin shared fifth place, with both players receiving $254,400.
Alex Fitzpatrick and Jacob Skov Olesen tied for seventh, earning $180,000 each.
Ewen Ferguson and Jens Dantorp shared ninth place and collected $134,400 apiece.
Paul Waring, Ugo Coussaud and Daniel Rodrigues finished tied for 11th, with each player earning $110,400.
The prize money continued down the leaderboard, with even players finishing outside the top 20 receiving significant payouts from the $6 million purse.
IRISH OPEN PRIZE MONEY PAYOUT
The leading payouts were:
1st — Shane Lowry — $1,020,000
T2nd — Patrick Reed — $660,000
T2nd — Joaquin Niemann — $660,000
4th — Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen — $300,000
T5th — Gregorio De Leo — $254,400
T5th — Tom McKibbin — $254,400
T7th — Alex Fitzpatrick — $180,000
T7th — Jacob Skov Olesen — $180,000
T9th — Ewen Ferguson — $134,400
T9th — Jens Dantorp — $134,400
T11th — Paul Waring — $110,400
T11th — Ugo Coussaud — $110,400
T11th — Daniel Rodrigues — $110,400
Players finishing 20th received $72,000, while 30th place was worth $53,400. Even a 70th-place finish carried a payout of $11,400.
MCLLROY’S DIFFICULT WEEK
Defending champion Rory McIlroy endured a much more difficult tournament than Lowry.
McIlroy, who won the Irish Open in 2025 after defeating Joakim Lagergren in a playoff, finished tied for 41st this time around.
That result meant he was nowhere near the battle for the title as Lowry pulled away from the field.
McIlroy nevertheless praised Lowry’s achievement, with the victory giving Irish golf another memorable home success.
A RECORD-BREAKING WEEK FOR LOWRY
Lowry’s victory was built on remarkable consistency and an extraordinary second round.
He opened with a 67 before producing a sensational 62 on Friday, setting a new course record and moving himself clear of the field.
He followed that with a 65 in the third round before closing with another 63 on Sunday.
Across four rounds, Lowry carded 67, 62, 65 and 63 to finish on 257 strokes and 23-under par.
The final-round performance included seven birdies and allowed him to cruise to an 11-shot victory.
His final score broke the previous Irish Open scoring record of 264, while the margin of victory also established a new tournament record.
MORE THAN JUST THE PRIZE MONEY
Lowry’s victory also brought important benefits beyond his $1.02 million payday.
He collected 835 Race to Dubai points and 250 Ryder Cup qualification points as he continued his push toward the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor.
But for Lowry, the biggest reward was arguably the opportunity to win his national open again in front of an Irish crowd.
Seventeen years after announcing himself by winning the tournament as an amateur, Lowry has now added a professional Irish Open title to his résumé.
And he did it in emphatic fashion.
An 11-shot victory, a tournament scoring record, a course-record 62 and a $1.02 million winner’s chequemade it a week Lowry and Irish golf fans are unlikely to forget.
The Irish Open may have offered a $6 million purse, but by the time Sunday was over, there was no doubt about who had earned the biggest reward.
