British Open, Royal Portrush
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McIlroy, Portrush and Shane Lowry
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Lowry feels “rejuvenated” and as prepared as he could be in his bid to become the first player to win consecutive British Opens at the same course since Tiger Woods at St. Andrews in 2000 and ’05.
Backspin: His year was slowed by a rib injury that kept him out for two months. Padraig Harrington (2007-08), Tiger Woods (2005-06) and Tom Watson (1982-83) are the only back-to-back Open champions the last 50 years.
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — Shane Lowry believes he’s figured out a formula to excel in the biggest tournaments, like this week’s British Open at Royal Portrush, where he won the Claret Jug in 2019.
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Golf Digest on MSNBritish Open 2025: The secret message behind Shane Lowry house-sized mural outside Royal PortrushIf we have any quarrel with the mural, it's that Lowry stands alone. Portrush proper is home to barely 6,000 souls, yet the R&A expects over a quarter-million pilgrims this week. The mathematics should spell chaos, but when an entire community vibrates at the same frequency—when everyone wants to be here—logistics become footnotes. It just works.
A mural of Shane Lowry holding aloft the claret jug adorns the side wall of a house just across the road from Royal Portrush.
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — How well do you know British Open history? Try this quiz:
Shane Lowry is six years removed from his greatest golf moment, which took place at Royal Portrush, when he lifted the Claret Jug as the 2019 British Open winner. This week, he returns to the scene of that glory as the 153rd Open begins there on Thursday.
The final major championship of the golf season will be the British Open on July 17-20 at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.