Few sportspeople in Ireland inspire the kind of affection that Offaly's Shane Lowry manages to.
Securing a momentous win at the 2019 Abu Dhabi Championships this afternoon, Lowry's first tournament success since the 2015 Bridgestone Invitational has witnessed an outpouring of warmth for the golfer with his eyes no firmly fixed on Padraig Harrington's European Ryder Cup Team.
As many as four strokes back on the 12th tee, Lowry rallied superbly. After a tense head-to-head battle with South Africa's Richard Sterne, Lowry sealed the win with one shot to spare.
He's done it!🏆🇮🇪 @ShaneLowryGolf wins the @ADGolfChamps! #ADGolfChamps #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/qXG1nWhBVC
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 19, 2019
Clear how much it means...#ADGolfChamps #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/PAFSwz6J6A
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 19, 2019
With so many Irish fans of Lowry watching on as he sealed the highly-profitable win, there was one person quickest of all to celebrate with the golfer.
Happy New Year 🏆
From,
The Lowrys pic.twitter.com/rHAsXMWo59— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 19, 2019
That being said, the surge of good-will for Lowry was quickly coming from all quarters.
Brilliant by Shane, a win in the toughest possible way pillar to post. Back where he needs to be. https://t.co/9UlE85ZHmk
— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) January 19, 2019
What a turn around from the 11th! Big 🥜’s that! https://t.co/JnynCGQOes
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) January 19, 2019
Brilliant @ShaneLowryGolf delighted for you winning the #AbuDhabiHSBCChampionship 👏
— AP McCoy (@AP_McCoy) January 19, 2019
@ShaneLowryGolf Congrats Shane 👍
— Ken Doherty Official (@kendoherty1997) January 19, 2019
Wonderful from @ShaneLowryGolf . A tough year last year, a tough last round at stages today, gutsy win, looked gone, showed serious heart and loved they way he went right in to battle mode after 11. It will give him confidence and confidence to an sportsman is everything, 2019 💪🏼
— Kieran Donaghy (@starryboy14) January 19, 2019
— Richie Hogan (@richiehogan8) January 19, 2019
In Pictures - Shane Lowry wins Abu Dhabi Championship
Speaking in the immediate aftermath of his win, Shane Lowry will now hope to continue his fine start in 2019 across the year.
With a place on Padraig Harrington's European Ryder Cup team a priority for the Offaly man, Lowry has done himself no harm in securing this hard-earned win.
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