Shane Lowry swiped the spotlight with a record-breaking 9-under 62 in the third round of the PGA Championship, matching Xander Schauffele's feat and leaving himself in prime position to challenge for the title.
After a challenging start, Shane Lowry's game erupted on Saturday at the PGA Championship, as the Irishman stormed through the Valhalla course with a staggering 9-under 62, matching the record for the lowest round in a major.
Lowry's blistering performance propelled him from eight strokes behind to just one adrift of the lead, showcasing remarkable resilience and world-class shot-making. The 2019 Open Championship winner now stands as a formidable contender for the prestigious title come Sunday's final round.
The 34-year-old's historic round began with a steady par on the opening hole, before he unleashed a barrage of birdies, grabbing four consecutively from holes two to five. His momentum continued unabated, as he alternated between pars and birdies from holes six through nine, reaching the turn with a remarkable 29, leaving the chasing pack in his wake.
Lowry's precision and touch were on full display, as he sank putts from varying distances, including impressive birdie conversions of 37 feet, four inches and 32 feet, six inches on holes 13 and 14.
While history eluded Lowry with his bid for an unprecedented 61 in a major, narrowly missing a 10-foot putt on the par-5 18th, he remained upbeat, recognizing the significance of his accomplishment. By tying the lowest round and lowest score to par, he joined an elite group that includes Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler, and Branden Grace.
Lowry's 62 not only etched his name into the record books but also propelled him into contention for his second major triumph. At the time of publishing, he shared second place with 2020 PGA Champion Collin Morikawa, trailing only the current leader, Justin Thomas.
Lowry's previous best performance at the PGA Championship was a tie for fourth in 2021, when Phil Mickelson made history as the oldest major winner at Kiawah Island. Sunday's final round promises to be an epic battle, with Lowry poised to challenge for the prestigious title.
If Lowry emerges victorious, he will become the 21st multi-time winner of the PGA Championship and the first since Justin Thomas in 2022. His remarkable journey to contention, capped by a record-breaking 62, has set the stage for a thrilling climax at Valhalla.
