Shane Lowry makes history at PGA Championship but inches away from all-time golf record
Shane Lowry became the first European to shoot a 62 in a Major as his putter caught fire on the hottest day of the US PGA.
After a week of rain in Kentucky, the 2019 Open champion took advantage of perfect scoring conditions to nail nine birdies to race into contention for his second Major.
And the Irishman was four inches away from making a 12-foot putt at the last for the first ever 61 in over 145,000 rounds in Major history.
“It feels pretty good but to be honest, I would have liked it if I had gone one better,” he said. “I had a great chance at the last. I am disappointed I missed it.
"I was aware of the record from a long way out. When I made the birdie putt on 14, I wanted to get the chance to birdie the last. It felt similar to the 63 on the Saturday at the 2019 Open - my previous best score in the Majors. I felt like I was just going to keep making birdies.”
Branden Grace at the 2017 Open was the first to shoot a 62 followed by Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler at the 2023 US Open - and Schauffele again in the first round here. Four of the five best scores in Major history have come in the last 11 months.
Lowry, who switched to a TaylorMade mallet putter before winning the Zurich Classic last month, had come into the second Major of the season ranked No.171 in total putting on the PGA Tour.
He needed only 24 putts in 18 holes to top the putting stats in the third round. His 161 feet in putts - including a 37-foot birdie on No.13 - was also his best ever on the PGA Tour.
“I am just trying to play with a lot more instinct than I have been,” he said. Lowry and his Ryder Cup team Justin Rose sparked off each other as they both made four consecutive birdies on the front nine from the second hole.
The 2013 US Open champion finished with a 64 to sit a shot behind Lowry on 12-under par. “Pretty average compared to Shane,” he laughed. “No, today was a lot of fun.”
Lowry was one shot off the lowest ever score in a Major
Lowry, who became the first man to shoot 29 on the front nine in the US PGA at Valhalla, said: “I got off to a great start. Rosie did as well and we fed off each other. We egged each other on. We were both trying to get back into the golf tournament.
“I will need to do a lot more of the same. The golf course is gettable. As you have seen with Justin and myself today, someone can come from a long way back. I will come out fighting tomorrow."
No Englishman has won this event since 1991 and no European since Rory McIlroy here in 2014. The world No.2 got off to a slow start before shooting a 68 to move to eight-under par.
The second Major of the season has been full of stories from McIlroy filing for divorce to Scottie Scheffler ’s arrest. And Jordan Spieth could yet make golfing history as he seeks to become only the six man to complete the career Grand Slam. The three-time Major winner closed with two birdies for a 67 to move to eight-under par.