The Agonizingly Close 62: Shane Lowry Misses out on Major History at the PGA Championship
Shane Lowry, the Irish golfer with dreams of tying a record-breaking score at the PGA Championship, displayed an unexpected reaction as he approached the final hole of his third round on Saturday. With a spectacular nine-under 62 in his bag and only two strokes separating him from Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele, Lowry was just inches away from achieving the unprecedented 61-shot round. However, fate had other plans as his putt at the final hole missed the mark by mere inches.
The Closest Call in Men’s Major History
Lowry was chasing his 10th birdie of the day at Kentucky’s Valhalla Golf Club when he weighed the historic moment perfectly. From just inside 12-feet, Lowry had a good read on the putt that would have sealed his place in golf history. However, as he tapped in for par, the ball arced frustratingly away from the cup.
A Disappointing Yet Resilient Performance
“Probably the most disappointed anyone can ever be shooting 62,” Lowry told reporters, reflecting on his performance. “I knew what was at stake. I just didn’t hit the ball hard enough.” He added, “It would have been a pretty cool moment to kind of seal the deal and do it.”
Major Milestones: A Rare 62 in Men’s Majors
Lowry’s score marked just the fifth time a 62 has been carded at a men’s major tournament. Schauffele had been the last golfer to achieve this feat when he opened with the lowest round ever seen in the PGA Championship on Thursday. With only Schauffele, Rickie Fowler (US Open 2014), Branden Grace (Open Championship 2017), and now Lowry, joining this elite club, the pressure on the leaders intensified.
The Battle for the Lead: Schauffele and Morikawa
World No. 3 Schauffele had led the field entering the weekend but was soon overtaken by Morikawa and a host of other contenders on a day of low scoring. Schauffele suffered a setback with a double bogey at the 15th but managed to recover with two closing birdies, ending the day tied for the lead with Morikawa at 15-under overall.
The Chasing Pack: Lowry, DeChambeau, and Hovland
Sahith Theegala made a strong comeback with five birdies over the final 10 holes and a chip-in at the 11th to join the chasing pack, which included Lowry, Bryson DeChambeau, and Viktor Hovland. Just five strokes separated Schauffele and Morikawa from the six golfers level in tied-10th.
The Long Road to Victory: Spieth and Scheffler
Jordan Spieth, seven shots back at eight-under overall, will need a heroic performance on Sunday if he is to become the sixth player to win all four majors in the modern era. Scottie Scheffler, one shot behind Spieth in tied-24th, will also face a daunting challenge after enduring a grueling 73.
The Road to Victory: Schauffele and Morikawa
As the field gears up for a thrilling final day, Schauffele and Morikawa will tee off as the last pair at 2:35 p.m. ET (7:35 p.m. BST) on Sunday, with Lowry and his competitors starting earlier in the day.
