Shane Lowry Beats Out Rory McIlroy And A Charging Jon Rahm In An Incredible Showing At The BMW PGA Championship

Man, what an awesome leaderboard at the BMW PGA. Big names in the mix, including plenty of LIV guys. The DP World Tour (and the PGA Tour back here stateside) couldn't have asked for a much better finish as outspoken LIV bashers Lowry, Rory, and Rahm were the guys at the very top with the chance to win their flagship event. Even if it only was played in 54 holes.

As detailed by my guy D-Rap… the presence of the LIV guys was the storyline here throughout the week. All 3 of those guys took shots at the LIV crew before the tournament teed off. Shane Lowry hasn't been as vocal as the other two, but he had this to say earlier this week:

"I can't say I'm 100% OK with everyone being here, but some of the guys, I kind of don't mind them being here because of what they've done on the tour over the years," he told Sky Sports. "There are certain guys that I can't stand being here, to be honest, and I don't like it that they're here." 

"I think the one thing that has really annoyed me over the last few months is how disruptive they're all trying to be," he added.

"They're here to get world ranking points, but in a way, I think they're here for that and to be disruptive. I don't think they're here for anything else."

"Anybody who knows me knows I don't like confrontation, I don't like any of that, so I'll say 'Hello' and I'll do my thing.

"That's the way I'll be. The lads, I've known the lads for years and some of them became quite good friends over the last few years. But, I haven't seen them in a long time now, I don't hang out with them.

"I won't be going for dinner with them, but that's just because we haven't seen each other. There are certain lads I'd shake hands with and there are certain lads I wouldn't."

Jon Rahm, of course (as Dan laid out)… was irked that his fellow Spanish pal Alfredo Garcia was the first alternate in this field and was left on the outside looking in because of all the LIV guys playing.

"You have other people who, I'm not going to name anyone, but are here just for the ranking points to finish in the top 50 and play certain tournaments.For me there is the error. There are certain players who do deserve to be here because they have at least shown some interest in the European Tour.”

And Rory McIlroy has said just about anything that could ever be said against LIV and in support of traditional golf circuits. His message this week in particular was the same as the other two:

All of that set the stage for an awesome Sunday at Wentworth. Rahm went out there and absolutely balled with a 62, including an -8 run on the back 9 to post a number at -16. The rest of the afternoon consisted of guys trying to chase down that number. Rory and Lowry both were within striking distance with the holes needed to go run it down.

Adding to the excitement is the fact that the Wentworth Club finishes with back-to-back par 5's. I love a good par 5 finish but two??? Come on buddy. That's the good stuff.

Sure enough, Lowry found himself tied with Rahm at -16 on the 17th tee and Rory was at -15 a group back. Both failed to take advantage of the par 5 17th after sending their tee shots right and making par. Both hit the 18th fairway and hit beeeeeautiful long-iron draws into the back left pin position. I'll allow Lowry to demonstrate.

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Lowry left his eagle putt two revolutions short and tapped in for birdie to post -17. Rory had his chance to make eagle from a similar spot on the green, but it juuust squeaked by on the right side.

All in all, a great tournament and great result for the DP World Golf Tour. The LIV Golf roster is heavily built on veterans from that tour. That leaves the European Ryder Cup team in a precarious position, especially after such an asskicking at Whistling Straits last year. It's important for these 3 (along with guys like Viktor Hovland, who was also in the mix late Sunday) to stand in unison and keep that team competitive. They're the core moving forward and having them represent their home Tour on such a big stage is a great thing for golf.

Congrats to Shane Lowry on another big time W.