The Open Championship: Shane Lowry ‘hurting’ after Troon challenge fades

The Irishman admitted that he expects criticism for his third-round performance when his troubles began with a double bogey five at the famous Postage Stamp eighth hole.

With conditions deteriorating at Royal Troon, Lowry suffered five further bogeys on his second nine as he came home in 40 shots.

“Obviously the critics and what not will say I probably should have won from where I was yesterday afternoon but it’s not easy out there.

“I did everything I could. Unfortunately I came up short. Hopefully over the next five to 10 years, I’ll give myself another few chances in tournaments like this and get one more. Like I said at the start of the week, all I want is one more [major].”

Lowry added that he had been emboldened to “fight” in the closing round by coach Manchip’s recollection of his US Open disappointment in 2016 – when he held a four-shot lead going into the final round. only to fire a closing 76, which left finish in a share of second place, three behind winner Dustin Johnson.

“After Oakmount… I felt like I didn’t fight hard enough and he said to me, ‘you’re still regretting that’ and said to me, ‘will you do me one thing and fight for every shot?’ and that’s what I did.”