Saint Shaun, Brooks, Rory, Tiger And The Open Aftermath

If there’s any place in the world that knows how to celebrate — it’s Ireland.

Sometimes the Irish don’t even need a reason.

But Saint Shane Lowry gave them a big reason on Sunday and nothing says C-e-l-e-b-r-a-tion like an Irishman winning the iconic Claret Jug.

You see, unlike the other major championship trophies, the Claret Jug is perfect for pouring and drinking adult beverages of all kinds.

The celebration for Shane’s first major started Sunday night and is still going so it comes as no surprise that Shane put in a call to The Sherriff Of Nottingham (aka PGA Tour Commish Jay Monahan) and basically begged off for this week’s “stolen” WGC event (more on that later).

Seriously — would you want to hop and plane and fly all the way to steamy Memphis when there is celebration to be had on the Emerald Isle?

So no, it’s more important that Shane spend time with the Irish people and those closest to him who had a hand in the making of this latest major champion.  Besides, let Rory sweat it out in Memphis — perfect place for a guy who couldn’t make the 36-hole cut at the Open Championship.

So while Shane and his supporters grab a Guinness or two or three or four, here’s a quick look back at the week that was at Royal Portrush and the 148th Open Championship.

Big Winner:   Royal Portrush.  Great course, great test, demanded shot-making and a spot-on short game.  Great greens complexes.  It was tough enough without the wind.  Throw in some wind and rain and you saw the scores on Sunday afternoon.  Great venue, the R&A must put Portrush in the rota as soon as possible.

Big Winner:   Shane Lowry, of course.   He’s been one of those guys with the talent to win more and perhaps now he will.  He showed a complete game all week and his 63 on Saturday basically gave him the cushion he needed to bring this one home.

Winner:   Tony Finau.  Great closing round of 71 but once again, Tony becomes a very confusing player.  He’s performing quite well in the majors but his year to date hasn’t been very remarkable.  Here’s a guy who needs to win at least once a season, otherwise, he’s going to be regarded as an under-achiever.

Big Loser:   J.B. Holmes.  Greatest line from Sunday — while Holmes was fidgeting and apparently indecisive on his opening tee shot, Paul Azinger quipped:  “He’s only had 23 hours to figure it out.” Add in that closing 87 and J.B. pretty much got what he deserved.

Winner:   Graeme McDowell.  Hey Rory, G-Mac made the cut and doesn’t have half the horsepower you possess.

Loser:  Rory McIlroy.  One giant face-flop with 79 on day one.  With the pressure off,  Rory made one of those “it won’t matter” runs on Friday.  Missed the cut by a shot.  He can go back and remember the eight-inch tap-in he missed on Thursday at the 16th.  Who in the heck misses an eight-inch tap-in?

Big Winner:  The Harbour Bar.  Got more publicity than any drinking establishment in Ireland.

Big Nothing:  Tiger Woods.  Can’t play when it’s cold.  Period.  Good thing he wasn’t around for Sunday.

No Decision:   NBC Sports.  They kept showing previously-recorded action and pretended it was live.  You think they just happened to be live on some unknown second-tier player who just staked his second shot within three-feet?

Big Clueless:  Mike Tirico.  Hard to believe that as Tiger Woods was missing the cut, Tirico threw this one out — “Maybe we’ll see Tiger in Memphis.”  Seriously Mike, you expect Tiger with his stiff, aching body to jump on a plane and head to steamy Memphis to suffer in the humidity?  Get real.

Big Cry-baby:  Xander Schauffele.  They tested his driver, declared it non-conforming and sent the X-man scrambling for a replacement.  Seriously?  Why don’t these guys have back-ups for their key clubs?  Most of us had back-up drivers and putters we liked during our amateur days — just in case.  Get a back-up Xander and quit bitching.

Winner Then Loser:  Jordan Spieth.  Jordy’s turning into Phil Mickelson.  Hitting it everywhere off the tee, relying on his short game to make up for it.  Jordy was fine until the wind and rain showed up and the elements undressed him.  Nice 77 on Sunday.

Big Poop:  Justin Rose on Sunday.  Nice 79 Rosey.

Big Poop Part II:  Dustin Johnson.  When is this guy going to show up?  World’s No. 2 tied for 51st, shot 76 on Sunday.

And finally ……..(drum roll please):

Death-By-Slow-Play:  Brooks Koepka had to watch J.B. Holmes play 87 shots on Sunday.  Brooks started with four bogeys, never quite recovered but now, perhaps, we know his weakness.

And there you have it, the week that was at the 148th Open Championship.

In the meantime, the celebration goes on for Shane Lowry.