The Clara man really enjoyed himself on Sunday after a difficult 'defence' of the title he won at the county Antrim venue in 2019

AND IT WAS on Sunday that Shane Lowry was given a break. Having endured all manner of adversity across the week, Lowry enjoyed the climactic sunshine at Portrush, finishing with a five-under, six-birdie 66 that was illuminated by a hole-out from the fourth fairway.

Shane Lowry's week was hampered by a two-shot penalty in the second round of The Open Championship, but the Irishman bounced back with an impressive finish on Sunday

Full British Open payouts and prize money for every finishing position, including players who missed the cut at Royal Portrush, from the $17 milliion purse, the winner's share and a historical look at the growing purse sizes.

Lowry didn’t want to make excuses, but Saturday was brutal as he shot 74 while battling a virus at the Open Championship.

Scottie Scheffler was grouped with crowd favourite Shane Lowry for the first two rounds of The Open at Royal Portrush. Scheffler was in complete control of his game on Friday, putting himself in a strong position to win golf’s oldest major.

Our golf correspondent reports from the media centre and also digs out some stories behind the scenes at Royal Portrush. According to a conversation overhead in a takeaway restaurant in Portstewart, one of the 18 LIV Golf players who teed up here will be leaving the Saudi-backed circuit when his contract expires.

New footage has surfaced that appears to justify the two-shot penalty given to Shane Lowry at The Open. Watch the ball move here.