Irishman Shane Lowry in clover after stunner at WGC-Bridgestone Invitational

Irishman Shane Lowry was still in disbelief moments after winning the biggest title of his career at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday and sewing up his PGA Tour card for the next three years.

The 28-year-old from Clara in County Offaly had overcome the last-day challenge of three major winners in Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk and Justin Rose, firing a flawless four-under 66 to seal victory by two shots on the challenging Firestone layout.

“It doesn’t get any better than that, does it?” Lowry, a double winner on the European Tour, grinned after earning a winner’s cheque for US$1.57 million. “To be honest, it hasn’t sunk in yet.

“I mean, to beat those guys down the stretch on a golf course like this? This is probably one of the toughest golf courses, especially in this condition with how firm it was this week, that we play all year.”

Lowry, the first Irish player to win one of the four elite World Golf Championships events, was thrilled to post a winning total of 11-under 269 at tree-lined Firestone Country Club.

“I said at the start of the week, I’d take eight under par, and I thought that might win,” the world number 48 said.