Lowry disqualified at Portmarnock
Lightning struck twice for Esker Hills’ Shane Lowry when he was disqualified for the second time in a row in a senior amateur championship.
The Offaly ace, 19, posted a best of the day 74 to take the clubhouse lead early in the third round of the Irish Amateur Open at Portmarnock.
But he was disqualified minutes later for failing to sign his scorecard - almost four weeks to the day since he made a similar mistake in the West of Ireland Championship.
Clara native Lowry signed for a wrong score in the second round at Rosses Point when he looked certain to win the silver medal as leading qualifier in his first senior championship appearance after a best of the week 66.
The Irish Amateur Open was just his second senior event. But it ended in tears for the son of former Offaly All-Ireland football hero Brendan Lowry after yet another scorecard blunder.
Playing in driving rain, the plus two handicapper hit five birdies, five bogeys and a double bogey to lead in the clubhouse.
Visibly upset, he said: “I shot two over and I was thinking I had a chance of finishing in the top five. It’s just bad.
“I played unbelievable and I even bogeyed the last two holes. It was raining hard when he came off and I checked the scores, made sure everything was correct and just threw the card in.”
Unfortunately, he failed to sign it and was disqualified immediately, although Shay Smith, general secretary of the GUI was sympathetic.
He said: “It’s so disappointing for the young lad. You’ve got to feel for him. Unfortunately, rules are rules and you’ve got to adhere to them.”
Rory McIlroy held a one stroke lead over FInland's Antti Ahokas on one over par after eight holes of the final round.
