Emotions were running high on the 18th at Bethpage Black on Sunday, as Ireland’s Shane Lowry secured the half point Europe needed to retain the Ryder Cup.
It was a historic moment for the Offaly man, and so richly deserved after a season where he has frustratingly just come up short on a few occasions.
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Lowry’s celebration has instantly entered the annals of Ryder Cup history, with the 2019 Open champion bounding around the green filled with sheer elation and relief.
It came after an extraordinary afternoon of golf that had seen the Americans mount an unlikely comeback from 12-5 down, meaning the pressure was weighing heavily on Lowry’s shoulders as he arrived at the 18th green with history beckoning.
The relief was summed up by the remark he made to his dad Brendan as the pair embraced in the moments after Lowry’s historic putt.
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Shane Lowry’s dad reveals interaction with son on 18th green at Ryder Cup
The scenes on the 18th green as Shane Lowry shared a warm embrace with his dad Brendan would have brought a tear to the eye of any Irish sports fan.
Sport delivering so, so big again 💚
Shane Lowry being embraced by his proud as hell father, Brendan on the 18th green after he retained the Ryder Cup for @RyderCupEurope 🇪🇺🏆
Great snap by Michael Reaves for @PGA 📸 pic.twitter.com/J8LkWPmrUP
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) September 28, 2025
Brendan Lowry appeared on the Ray D’Arcy Show on RTÉ Radio One on Monday to reflect on his son’s crowning moment.
Lowry Sr revealed the hilarious relief Shane felt to see his putt land.
“I was just at the side of the green, praying on my hands and knees,” Brendan Lowry said when asked where he had watched the decisive putt from.
You’re just hoping that it works out for him, like every parent with their kids.
It was special, alright.
It was in his hands, oh my God.
What he said to me, he said, ‘Da, I was sure I missed it!’
He was sure it was just going to lip out. Oh, God!
It was great that my daughter and her husband were there with me as well.
It’s a heartwarming line that sums up the emotion of the situation.
Lowry Sr also revealed that the families of players had been warned pre-tournament about the abuse that met his son and Rory McIlroy so viciously on Saturday.
“Some of the fans were abusive, is putting it mildly,” Lowry said.
“It was very, very, very bad now.
“It must be this part of the area, I don’t know. Seemingly, some of these guys just go to football matches and hockey matches, and they do the same.
“We were warned, we got a briefing. Even the parents and families got a briefing about it last Thursday evening.
“They told us to stay calm – because you’re going to get abuse. It’s tough now to stay calm.
Few people in Irish sport deserved such a moment more than Shane Lowry, and it’s wonderful that he got to share it with his family close by.
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