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Lowry Takes Four-Shot Lead into Final Day at Irish Open
Confirmed
In Short: Shane Lowry is set to defend his Amgen Irish Open title with a four-shot lead after a strong performance, while Rory McIlroy's title defense is over following a round played amid the arrival of President Trump.
Shane Lowry is set to defend his Amgen Irish Open title with a four-shot lead after a strong performance, according to Eastrennews. The 37-year-old closed in on his first individual title since 2022 with a five-under-par 65, one-putting on the back nine to move to 16 under overall. Lowry was on the third hole when Air Force One flew overhead, with President Trump arriving to watch the action during his two-day official and sporting visit to Ireland.
Lowry's lead was initially threatened when Jacob Skov Olesen of Denmark finished the front nine with an eagle-birdie to go out in 31 and share the lead, according to Golfchannel. However, Lowry excelled with his putting on the back nine, as he told RTÉ Sport, 'I thought if I could shoot a good score I could pull myself away a little bit.' Lowry's performance was particularly impressive given the distraction of Trump's arrival, with the 37-year-old local favorite relishing the opportunity to chase his second Irish Open title.
Rory McIlroy's title defense is over following a round played amid the arrival of President Trump on Air Force One, according to Eastrennews. A pair of double bogeys early in the round put paid to McIlroy's hopes of repeating his Irish Open triumphs of 2016 and 2025. The 37-year-old Northern Irishman, who was the pre-tournament favorite, struggled to maintain his form and ultimately lost his three-shot advantage.
Meanwhile, Elena Rybakina demonstrated why she is the best women's player in the world by beating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka to win her first US Open title, according to BBC. Rybakina's victory was particularly impressive as she had never gone past the US Open fourth round until this year. The Kazakhstani player stayed calm in an opening set where her first serve let her down, executing a devastating returning game which left Sabalenka frustrated.
Lowry's performance at the Amgen Irish Open is part of a busy week for the Irish golfer, who is also set to compete in the US Open final on Sunday. All American hopes will rest on Ben Shelton, who will chase history in the US Open final against top seed Alexander Zverev, according to Al Jazeera. The local hope is bidding to end a 23-year American wait for a men’s singles Grand Slam champion since Andy Roddick’s triumph at the US Open in 2003.
What's confirmed
- Shane Lowry is set to defend his Amgen Irish Open title with a four-shot lead after a strong performance, according to Eastrennews. The 37-year-old closed in on his first individual title since 2022 with a five-under-par 65, one-putting on the back nine to move to 16 under overall. Lowry was on the third hole when Air Force One flew overhead, with President Trump arriving to watch the action during his two-day official and sporting visit to Ireland.
- Lowry's lead was initially threatened when Jacob Skov Olesen of Denmark finished the front nine with an eagle-birdie to go out in 31 and share the lead, according to Golfchannel. However, Lowry excelled with his putting on the back nine, as he told RTÉ Sport, 'I thought if I could shoot a good score I could pull myself away a little bit.' Lowry's performance was particularly impressive given the distraction of Trump's arrival, with the 37-year-old local favorite relishing the opportunity to chase his second Irish Open title.
- Rory McIlroy's title defense is over following a round played amid the arrival of President Trump on Air Force One, according to Eastrennews. A pair of double bogeys early in the round put paid to McIlroy's hopes of repeating his Irish Open triumphs of 2016 and 2025. The 37-year-old Northern Irishman, who was the pre-tournament favorite, struggled to maintain his form and ultimately lost his three-shot advantage.
- Meanwhile, Elena Rybakina demonstrated why she is the best women's player in the world by beating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka to win her first US Open title, according to BBC. Rybakina's victory was particularly impressive as she had never gone past the US Open fourth round until this year. The Kazakhstani player stayed calm in an opening set where her first serve let her down, executing a devastating returning game which left Sabalenka frustrated.
- Lowry's performance at the Amgen Irish Open is part of a busy week for the Irish golfer, who is also set to compete in the US Open final on Sunday. All American hopes will rest on Ben Shelton, who will chase history in the US Open final against top seed Alexander Zverev, according to Al Jazeera. The local hope is bidding to end a 23-year American wait for a men’s singles Grand Slam champion since Andy Roddick’s triumph at the US Open in 2003.
What's still developing
- Rybakina's deep returning pinned Sabalenka to the baseline as she broke for a 2-1 lead, which allowed the incoming world number one to grow in stature.
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- Kazakhstan's Rybakina already knew she would be the new world number one after Saturday's final regardless of the result, and she celebrated with a 6-4 5-7 6-2 victory over the player she will replace.
- Rybakina was the more composed of the two throughout as she claimed the third Grand Slam title of her career, having triumphed at Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open earlier this year.
- Sabalenka hoped to soften the blow of losing the top ranking by winning a third consecutive US Open title - but looked fraught in a tense performance.
- Before Sunday’s sold-out clash at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Al Jazeera Sport takes a closer look at the matchup: Shelton defeated Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in an all-American semifinal on Friday, while Zverev booked his place in the final by fighting past unseeded Russian Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (8/6).
- The pair last met at the 2025 ATP Finals in Turin, Italy, as Zverev beat Shelton 6-3, 7-6(6) in a round-robin clash.
- History suggests that Zverev clearly has the upper hand over his American opponent, but the German has a poor record in major finals (1-4).