Shane Lowry offers X-rated reaction after PGA Championship controversy

The Irishman argued with rules officials before venting his frustration

Fans would be well advised to approach Shane Lowry with caution this morning. The Irishman has missed the cut at the PGA Championship after finishing two-over-par, just one shot off the mark needed to return to the Quail Hollow course for the weekend.

Fans would be well advised to approach Shane Lowry with caution this morning. The Irishman has missed the cut at the PGA Championship after finishing two-over-par, just one shot off the mark needed to return to the Quail Hollow course for the weekend.

However, it’s not just his own performance that Lowry was left seething about. The 38-year-old is also likely to face sanctions after his X-rated reaction on the eighth hole, where he made what proved to be a critical bogey. That was despite appearing to hit a perfect tee shot on the short par-four to set up a real chance to attack the flag.

However, Lowry arrived at his ball to find it was plugged in an old pitch mark. He argued with the rules officials about being able to take relief, but was denied the request as the mark wasn’t his own.

A clearly rattled Lowry then proceeded to duff his approach just 80 feet into a greenside bunker. He reacted by powerfully slamming his club into the turf and taking up a huge divot.

It didn’t get better from there, as he failed to get up-and-down and took five to move to two over. In behaviour likely to result in a fine, the Ryder Cup star then couldn’t hide his contempt after eventually holing out.

He indiscreetly flicked a middle finger at the flag and then shouted “F*** this place,” before picking up his ball and storming off. His mood would not have been improved later on when learning his second-round 71 wasn’t enough for a top-70 finish.