Hometown hero Shane Lowry, who won The Open at Royal Portrush in 2019, ended his second round at this year’s edition of the event in high spirits as he walked off the course two under par.
But his mood and chances for a historic Portrush double quickly deteriorated.
R&A officials in the clubhouse informed the Northern Irishman that he had been hit with a two-stroke penalty after a practice swing on the 12th hole supposedly caused the ball to move minutely.
Reluctantly, Lowry accepted the penalty and dropped back to level par, some 10 strokes off the 2025 Open leader Scottie Scheffler.
Following the disappointment, the 2019 Champion stated: “I told them I definitely was looking down towards the ball as I was taking my practice swing.”
He accepted the penalty, showcasing his integrity: “The last thing I want to do is sit there and argue and not take the penalty and then get slaughtered all over social media tonight for being a cheat.”
However, a new angle has potentially confirmed that Lowry’s ball did move during the 38-year-old’s practice swing and that the penalty was fair.
The new, tighter camera angle suggests the R&A’s ruling could be correct, as it shows Lowry’s golf ball in motion.
Penalty? Did Shane Lowry cause his ball to move? #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/v0UMwhIx36
— Jason Krump (@JasonKrump) July 18, 2025
Despite accepting the penalty graciously, Lowry believed the situation could’ve been better handled: “I didn’t know anything happened until walking up the 15th fairway and then the rules official came over and told me that there was a possibility the ball moved on the 12th hole for my second shot.”
“I was in there with the rules official and wasn’t arguing my case, but I’m disappointed that they don’t have more camera angles on it. The one zoomed in, in slow motion – they’re telling me if it doesn’t move from the naked eye, if you don’t see it moving, it didn’t move.”
Northern Irish duo need a big Saturday to stay in the hunt at their home Open
Lowry will need to make up serious ground and hope others falter if he wants to be in with an unlikely chance to challenge for a second Open title at Royal Portrush.
It’s moving day, and he will need to play his very best golf if he wants to give the home fans something to cheer for in the final 18 holes of the 2025 Open Championship.
Elsewhere, Rory McIlroy will boast a homeland backing with large support groups expected to push him along as he looks to mount a challenge from three under par on moving day.
The world number two from County Down already has one Major title in 2025 with his Masters title and Green Jacket, earning him a coveted career Grand Slam.
McIlroy will need to knock in numerous birdies if he wants to keep in touch with 36-hole leader and world number one Scottie Scheffler at 10 under par.
There’s one thing for certain: the heavily partisan crowd will be well behind their two contenders over the weekend as the 2025 Open unfolds.
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Article Link: New video footage confirms Lowry's balled moved before two-shot penalty at The Open