Shane Lowry’s First Oakmont Encounter
In 2016, Shane Lowry arrived at Oakmont Country Club with little knowledge of its fearsome reputation. After just five holes during a Sunday practice round, the Irishman was so overwhelmed by the brutal layout that he walked off the course, stunned. “I walked in after five holes. I sat in the locker room going, ‘I have no idea how I’m going to play golf around this place,’” Lowry recalled ahead of the 2025 Memorial Tournament.
The Holes That Broke Him
Lowry started on the 10th hole and made it through to the 14th before calling it quits. That stretch included some of the toughest holes in U.S. Open history, such as the 632-yard par-5 12th and the notoriously tricky par-3 13th. Oakmont was dry, fast, and windy that day—conditions that made the already demanding course nearly unplayable.
From Walk-Off to Contender
Despite the rocky practice round, Lowry returned just days later for the U.S. Open and shocked the golf world. With rounds of 68, 70, and a dazzling 65, he found himself leading the tournament by four shots after 54 holes. Heavy rain during the week softened the course, leveling the playing field. But Oakmont bared its teeth again on Sunday, and Lowry couldn’t hold on—carding a final-round 76 and tying for second place alongside Jim Furyk and Scott Piercy.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Now, as the U.S. Open returns to Oakmont in 2025, Lowry is more excited than intimidated. “I’m looking forward to seeing what it’s going to play like, and I’m looking forward to the challenge of it,” he said. He knows what to expect—and more importantly, how not to let Oakmont defeat him before the tournament even begins.
RBC Canadian Open Update
As for current action, Jackson Suber leads the 2025 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto after a stunning 6-under 64. He holds a one-shot lead over a trio tied for second: Sam Burns, Taylor Pendrith, and Alex Smalley. Nick Taylor is close behind at 4-under.
The leaderboard promises an exciting finish—but all eyes will soon shift back to Oakmont, where the next chapter of Shane Lowry’s journey awaits.