As the wind whipped, Shane Lowry let rip. Royal Troon’s 11th hole is treacherous enough without unwanted interventions. As Lowry stood above his second shot, a cameraman raised his lens. Lowry arrowed the ball straight left and into a gorse bush. Open Championship bids can be reduced to ruin with moments such as these.
Television commentators apologised as Lowry’s intemperate outburst towards the gentleman who had driven him to distraction was clearly picked up by microphones. Lowry’s mood was barely improved as a member of the public found his stray ball in an area which is perfectly nice to look at but horrible – and sore – to be in. The Irishman would rather have played on with his provisional ball. At this point, you could almost see the steam emanating from his ears.
