Shane Lowry won the WGC Bridgestone the old fashioned way on Sunday at Firestone — he simply outplayed everyone.
Lowry put on a scrambling exhibition over the final nine holes, shot 66 and won by two shots over Bubba Watson, who put on a charge over the final nine, only to fall short of Lowry. Watson equaled Lowry’s 66. Lowry’s winning total was 269, 11-under par. Watson took solo second at nine-under.
Third round leaders Jim Furyk and Justin Rose wallowed in the mire of unexciting golf all day. Both bogeyed the 18th hole to finish at seven-under par, both had 72. It was a familiar ending for Furyk, who has held 11 54-hole leads over the past five seasons but has failed to win every time.
Lowry stayed clear of the bogey-man. He had a pair of front nine birdies then got another at the 10th then scrambled his way home with seven straight pars. He closed by launching a wedge shot from far left of the 18th fairway within 12 feet of the hole then drained the putt, giving the crowd an emphatic fist pump.
“I’ve played good most of the year and things hadn’t been going my way,” Lowry related afterward. “I played my best golf of the year the last four days. I was quite nervous the last four holes. I knew if I parred in, I’d win.”
Lowry fought hard for those pars, making putts when he needed to, hitting clutch shots when he needed to. He’s a member of the European Tour where he has won three times but this victory gives him PGA Tour membership but did not get him into the year-ending FedEx Cup playoffs. “I’m just thrilled and delighted for everyone who’s helped me along the way,” Lowry said.
Lowry’s victory kept the trophy in Irish hands. He is a good friend of Rory McIlroy, who couldn’t defend his title this week.
The win puts Lowry in the conversation of favorites this coming week at the PGA Championship as he’ll have plenty of momentum going in.
Same for Watson, who made three birdies over the final nine holes.
Jordan Spieth bounced back from his 72 on Saturday with a 66 of his own, getting himself ready to make a run at a possible third major at Whistling Straits.
