LOUISVILLE, Ky. – European Ryder Cup stalwart and 2019 Open champion Shane Lowry absolutely torched Valhalla Golf Club on Saturday with a score of 62 – tied for the lowest score ever achieved in a major. He had a chance to set the record, but his birdie putt on 18 just rolled to the left.
The record of 62 has already been reached four times, most recently by Xander Schauffele last Thursday.
Lowry hit nine birdies en route to the par-5 18th, the easiest hole on the course. Needing a birdie on the hole to set the record, he put his tee shot 302 yards into the right rough zone, just above the picturesque waterfalls of Valhalla. His second shot landed just outside the fairway in Valhalla’s first cut, 105 yards from the pin. The approach hit the green and stuck, leaving him with a record-setting putt of 10 feet, 10 inches. The putt rolled on point for most of its run and turned slightly to the left at the last moment.
“To be honest, I would have liked it if I had gone home feeling better,” he said after his round. And he could have done that too. He made par on both par 5s on the back nine.”
In case you’re wondering, yes, he knew when he stood on the 18th tee that 61 was achievable.
“It’s great when you have a lap like that, you just forget what’s happening and keep going,” he said.
Lowry did claim the lead in the clubhouse at -13. Eight holes behind him, Xander Schauffele had a one-stroke lead at -14.
