Shortly before the first round of the Honda Classic, Shane Lowry received shocking news.
His uncle Jimmy passed away unexpectedly on Thursday at the age of 66.
“It’s very sad and very hard,” Lowry said after Saturday’s round. “It’s been a difficult week. It was very difficult not to be at home with my father.”
Initially, Lowry wanted to withdraw from the tournament in order to be with his family in Ireland. However, he was dissuaded. Now that Lowry wore a green and white ribbon to his cap in honor of his uncle this week, the 35-year-old hopes his uncle Jimmy will be proud of the victory and he is in a better position to do so.
After opening the tournament with two consecutive under-68s, the 2019 Open champion scored 65 points in the third round to take T-4, four shots behind leader Chris Kirk.
For Lowry, there are shades of deja vu before the final round of the PGA National.
Full results from Honda Classic
Lowry started the last round of last year’s Honda Classic on five shots off leader Daniel Berger with 54 holes. However, the Irishman, playing in the final pair, quickly caught up with Berger and led most of the nine defenders. Sepp Straka, however, hit the number 14, 16 and 18 birdies, and Lowry went to the 72nd hole, needing a birdie to win.
Lowry then got what he called “the worst break I’ve ever had”. A few moments before the start of number 18, a downpour began. Straka, at the front of the group, teeed from 334 yards without rain. Lowry walked 241 yards.
Despite no bogey in the final round of 67, Lowry finished in second place, one hit behind Straka.
Lowry is one step closer to a 54-hole lead this year than it was in 2022.
Lowry has a lot of motivation in the Honda Classic
“If I can just hang around here all day,” Lowery said, “I hope I can give myself a chance to get through this.”
Even if he takes this opportunity, there is one thing that Lowry prays that it won’t happen tomorrow that is completely out of his control.
“I just hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow,” said world number 20.
Under clear skies, Lowry will try to catch the lead in the final round for the second year in a row at Palm Beach Gardens. However, unlike last year, he will try to keep the win if he succeeds.
With his uncle watching over him.
“Hopefully I can go out and make him proud tomorrow,” Lowry said. “Everyone keeps telling me how proud he has been of me for the past few years and hopefully tomorrow I can make him proud for another day.”
Source: www.golfchannel.com
