Shane Lowry might share his place in the history books rather than creating a new chapter at the PGA Championship in Valhalla but he says having a putt for a 61, the lowest round in major history was a special occasion to be involved in.
Standing over a twelve-footer for a famous birdie on 18, Lowry’s putt died of pace on the low side and he tapped in for one of the most disappointing rounds of 62 there’s ever been, but importantly it moved him to thirteen-under and just two shots behind Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa heading into the final round.
“I knew I just really wanted to hole it. Probably too much. Yeah, it was just — I kind of stood back and allowed myself to enjoy the moment. It was a pretty cool moment to have. It would have been a pretty cool moment to kind of seal the deal and do it,” said Lowry who is looking for his second major championship title after winning the 2019 Open.
“But at the end of the day, I knew even if I didn’t do it that I done what I needed to do today, and I’m pretty happy with that.”
Lowry played with European Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose with the Englishman also firing himself into contention with a 64 to reach twelve-under on what was a thrilling moving day in Kentucky.
“I said that to him on the — I think it was walking off the 5th green. I’m like, What am I going to have to do to get the honor off you today,” joked Lowry.
“Yeah, it was pretty cool out there, the two of us. He obviously had a great round, as well, and he’s put himself in there tomorrow, and we both played great.
“It was nice to kind of bounce off each other and feed off each other the whole day.”
The Clara man turned in 29 which included four birdies in a row from the 2nd and when he birdied thirteen and fourteen to get to eight-under for his round he admits he was record chasing.
“Well, when you go out in 29, you think, wow, I have a good day going here, and you have 10 that’s a pretty gettable par-5. I think when I holed the putt on 14, I was like, here we go, yeah, this is a good chance.
“But obviously 15 is a tricky hole and 16 is a tough hole. But it felt like I played them very well. Obviously to birdie 17, that’s when I knew I just really wanted to hit a good tee shot on the last. I pushed it a little bit and laid it up, and I hit a great wedge shot, and yeah, obviously just missed the putt.
“Yeah, it was in my mind from about 14 onwards.”