US Open star can’t hold back tears in emotional Father’s Day interview about dad’s death

Golf sensation Justin Lower struggled to hold back the tears as he reflected on losing his father aged 15 at this year's US Open.

As it often does, the major coincided with Father's Day, which is always a bitter sweet occasion for the Ohioan native. In 2005, tragedy struck when Lower's father Tim and his younger brother Chris, just 10 years old, were tragically killed in a car crash en-route to collect then-15-year-old Lower from the golf course.

At the age of 35, Lower is now a father to 18-month-old Arianna Lynn, whose name he proudly wears on a bracelet during his games. After many attempts and near misses, Lower finally got to make his debut in the US Open and even made it to the final round, reports the Express.

He managed a commendable final-round 70 at Pinehurst No. 2, having narrowly made the cut at 5-over and recovering from a third-round 74. As the tournament wrapped up, Lower couldn't contain his emotions as he opened up about the significance of Father's Day to him.

Speaking to pgatour.com, he shared: "It's been cool. Today was obviously cool, just being Father's Day... with my past and with my life now, being a dad, it's just really cool to play on this day for sure.

"I think (my dad) would have been happy with the way I handled myself this week. I usually get pretty fired up throughout the week if I make mistakes and whatnot.

"But I told myself this week, it's obviously going to be hard. Bogeys are going to happen. Bad shots are going to happen. Unlucky breaks are going to happen, just accept it and move on.

Lower struggled to hold back the tears

"I wish I could be like that every week; I think I'd be in a lot better shape. I think (my dad) would be happy, for sure."

Lower's golfing journey has been a whirlwind of emotions. In 2018, he missed an eight-foot putt that would have secured his tour card via the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, only to finally earn his card on the final hole in the same competition three years later. At Pinehurst, the Ohio native wasn't a threat to those leading the pack.

However, he did pull off one of the shots of the tour when he chipped in for a birdie on the par-4 8th hole. "The first round, the first tee shot, I got a little bit emotional," Lower admitted. "Just thinking about it all, and then the first tee shot today.

"First Sunday tee shot at the U.S. Open, yeah, it's pretty cool. I just wish my dad and my brother as well, that they were here to see it. It's in the past, but it still would be nice to have them here."

When asked what his father would have said to him if he was at Pinehurst to watch the match, an even more emotional Lower said: "Probably [He would say] 'Good week overall, but could’ve been better'. It’s what he’d normally say.”

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.