Shane Lowry overcomes Rory McIlroy challenge but ‘disaster’ sees him miss out on near four-year first
Shane Lowry was on course for a first individual win since 2022 at the Dubai Invitational until a shambolic last hole.
The Irishman was leading on hole 18 in round four when his shot from the bunker rolled across the green and into the water.
In the opening event of the 2026 DP World Tour, Lowry played brilliantly and was on course for victory.
But with his ball going into the water, Spaniard Nacho Elvira claimed victory instead.
Lowry’s shot went down as a double bogey, and he lost his one-shot lead.
And afterwards he reflected on a shambolic end to a strong performance from the Irishman.
“That was a disaster – that’s what that was,” he told reporters.
“What can you do? You have to just learn from it and move on, lads.
“This game is nuts. I’ve just started my 18th season on tour and I’ll never figure it out. I tried my best, did everything I could and hit the wrong club up the last. And that cost me a play-off.”
On the shot itself, he said: “I was just trying to hit a soft 9.
“If you hit a wedge at the flag and it comes out a little soft, it goes right into the water. In hindsight, I probably would have been better doing that because you get it up and down from there. But the bunker shot was shocking – it’s not good enough.”
And as a result of that poor shot, the Irishman missed out on that first individual win since 2022 at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
And he admitted this will take a couple of days to get over.
Lowry continued: “I should be winning that.
“But I didn’t and this is going to hurt for a day or two. I haven’t won in a few years. It’s hard to get over the line.
“I know this is not the biggest tournament in the world. But you’ve still got to beat Rory McIlroy down the stretch. I did that. I just gave it to Nacho at the end. It’s a bit of a disaster and I’ll lick my wounds and move on and get going for next week.”
Missed chance
As Lowry said himself, he realises this was a huge opportunity that has slipped through his grasp.
As one of the top players in the world, four years without an individual win isn’t a great record for the Irishman.
Given how competitive a lot of these tournaments are as well, it’s not clear how long it will be before he gets another chance, or gets as close as this.
Tommy Fleetwood went years and years without a PGA Tour win, so it’s possible.
Lowry will hope 2026 is the year that run ends.
Professionally, the last few years have been incredible for him, but they’ve come as part of a team.
Individually, it hasn’t quite happened, and this was a chance to change that.
