Shane Lowry Defends Integrity After Controversial Open Championship Penalty
Shane Lowry found himself at the center of a tense ruling during the second round of the Open Championship at Royal Portrush, but the Irishman remained adamant that he would not be labeled a cheat.
The 2019 Champion Golfer of the Year was handed a two-stroke penalty after officials ruled that his ball had moved during a practice swing on the 12th hole. Despite his protests and the lack of multiple camera angles to conclusively confirm the movement, Lowry accepted the decision—though not without frustration.
A Disputed Ruling on the Course
The controversy arose when the R&A, golf’s governing body for The Open, determined that Lowry had caused his ball to shift while preparing for his shot. Although Lowry insisted he never saw the ball move with his own eyes, the ruling was made based on available footage.
I’m disappointed that they didn’t have more camera angles, Lowry remarked after his round. The slow-motion zoom made it seem like it might have moved, but from my perspective, I was watching the ball—I didn’t see anything.
The penalty dropped him from two-under to level-par, narrowly keeping him above the cut line. Despite the setback, he birdied the 15th shortly after learning of the penalty, securing his weekend play by just one stroke.
I didn’t want to argue it. The last thing I need is to be accused of cheating all over social media, Lowry said, acknowledging the scrutiny that comes with high-profile rulings.
Scheffler Offers Sympathy as Lowry Battles On
Playing alongside world number one Scottie Scheffler, Lowry now sits ten shots behind the American, who leads the tournament. Scheffler sympathized with his competitor, calling the situation incredibly frustrating.
It’s hard to tell in the rough, and from what I saw on the video, it wasn’t clear whether the ball moved, Scheffler said. Shane handled it as well as anyone could. The last thing you want in golf is to be thought of as someone who doesn’t play by the rules.
While Scheffler refrained from saying whether he agreed with the penalty, he stressed that it was a tough spot for Shane to be in.
The Bigger Question: Technology and Fairness in Golf
This incident reignites the ongoing debate about the role of technology in officiating professional golf. With only limited camera angles available—and no direct, indisputable evidence—questions remain about whether the ruling was fair.
Lowry, known for his sportsmanship, accepted the penalty to avoid further controversy, but his frustration highlights a larger issue in the sport. As high-definition replays and slow-motion analysis become more prevalent, players and officials must balance fairness with the limitations of available technology.
Moving Forward at The Open
Despite the penalty, Lowry remains focused on the weekend, determined to climb the leaderboard and silence any critics. His resilience under pressure—both in dealing with the ruling and securing his place in the next round—demonstrates why he remains one of golf’s most respected competitors.
As The Open progresses, the focus should rightly remain on the skill and integrity of players like Shane Lowry—who, regardless of the ruling, refuses to let anything tarnish his reputation.
