Following an Irish Open dominated by Shane Lowry, attention has shifted to the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. Alex Noren returns as the defending champion after he defeated Adrien Saddier in a play-off at last year’s tournament.
Two-time champion Rory McIlroy, 2022 winner Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood, Patrick Reed and Justin Rose will be part of a star-studded field. Meanwhile, a contingent of LIV Golf players will be led by Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, whose futures are up in the air after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) pulled its funding for the rebel league. Ahead of Thursday’s opening round, here’s a summary of the latest golf news…
Lowry addresses controversy
Lowry has defended his choice of words after being caught saying a volunteer “deserved to get hit” during his third round. His comments were picked up by a nearby microphone after his tee shot on the 18th almost struck a group stationed near the rough.
Addressing the incident after receiving the trophy, Lowry said: “It’s funny, right, because marshals obviously have a very tough job and they are volunteers, but they get a little bit in the way at times, I feel like.
“And 18 was just two guys going across the fairway as I’m trying to hit the shot and it’s playing really hard. There’s another guy walking… But any ways, you have to do a little bit yourself. But it was carnage out there. I did get a little bit…
“The 18 tee shot for me, I practised on Monday. I hit a tee shot 50 yards left out of bounds, and for the rest of the week, that’s all I could think about on that tee. It was quite an anxious tee box for me.”
Shane Lowry was left frustrated by volunteers at the Irish Open (Image: Getty)
McIlroy explains snub
While Lowry romped to victory by 11 shots, it was an Irish Open to forget for McIlroy, who trailed home in a tie for 41st on one under par. Despite him and Lowry being close pals, the Masters champion didn’t hang around for the celebrations.
Following his final-round 67 – by which time Lowry hadn’t even teed off – McIlroy soon left the course to fly to England to reunite with his wife and daughter ahead of the BMW PGA Championship. He said: “I’m going to see my girls in London. I’m going to get out of here quickly. They just got into London this morning, so I’ll head over there, get back and get ready for next week.”
McIlroy did insist he was fully backing Lowry before departing, adding: “It would be absolutely incredible [if Lowry won]. He’s had a couple of chances.
“He had a big chance earlier this year at the Cognizant [where Lowry lost a three-shot lead over the final four holes]. I felt like he never got going with his season after that. To see him in contention out there, obviously the whole country would love to see him get it done, me included.”