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David Howell defends Shane Lowry after Irish Open controversy

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 16, 2026, 10:30 AM

Last updated Sep 16, 2026

David Howell defends Shane Lowry after Irish Open controversy

Summary

Shane Lowry faced criticism for comments made during the Irish Open at Doonbeg. After hitting a wayward drive toward volunteers, he remarked that they deserved to be hit, which upset fans. David Howell defended Lowry, asserting his popularity among peers and describing the comment as a moment of frustration. Lowry secured his second Irish Open title with an 11-shot victory, marking his first individual win in four years. Despite the incident, Howell emphasized that Lowry's mistake should not overshadow his impressive performance.

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By the Numbers

•Shane Lowry won the Irish Open by 11 shots.
•He faced backlash for comments about volunteers.
•David Howell defended Lowry, highlighting his popularity.
•Lowry secured his first individual victory in four years.

Latest Updates

10:30 AMYahoo Sports — What other tour players really think of Shane Lowry after his comments at the Irish Open, ‘that’s completely false’

What they're saying

"
David Howell has insisted that those who believe that Shane Lowry is not incredibly popular behind the scenes on tour are completely wrong following a controversial incident at the Irish Open this past week. Lowry dominated the headlines at Doonbeg, with much of the focus on his scintillating performance to win the event for a second time.
— Yahoo Sports

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