Shane Lowry's Mayo connections explained after historic Ryder Cup moment
2025 Ryder Cup, Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course, Farmingdale, New York 28/9/2025 Shane Lowry celebrates making the winning putt to win the Ryder Cup for Team Europe Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Matthew Harris
Shane Lowry's historic Ryder Cup putt was celebrated far beyond his native Offaly, as the residents in the North Mayo town of Crossmolina had particular reason to cheer for the Clara man when he helped Europe defeat the USA to win the Ryder Cup in New York's Bethpage Black Golf Course.
Lowry's journey to the very summit of professional golf began in Crossmolina in the 1990s when his uncle Sean was working at the Bellacorick electricity power station.
A delighted and proud Sean Lowry was happy to chat to the Western People back in 2019 as he recalled his nephew's beginnings in golf.
"When I was in Mayo, Shane had only really started out playing golf, but the very first time he picked up a club was in my house in Crossmolina," he explained.
"He spoke about that himself after winning the 2009 Irish Open. I had golf clubs in my house, and he picked them up."
Sean lived in Crossmolina for 16 years and represented Mayo at inter-county level, winning a Connacht senior championship final in 1985 and even scoring the winning goal in the final. He had previously won three All-Irelands with Offaly in 1971, 1972 and 1982, the latter victory coming at the expense of Kerry, who were chasing a historic five-in-a-row. Shane's father, Brendan, and another uncle, Mick, were also members of that 1982 team.
SHANE LOWRY COMES UP CLUTCH TO RETAIN THE RYDER CUP! #TeamEurope | #OurTimeOurPlace pic.twitter.com/Q6LKpWr0aQ
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 28, 2025
Despite winning three All-Ireland senior football medals, no mean achievement as any Mayo man will testify, Sean Lowry said his own achievements pale somewhat in comparison to Lowry's famous victory at the British Open in 2019.
"This is a success on a different scale; this kind of success is mind-boggling. Shane's a very ordinary guy, and to see it happening to him, it's so great", he said. "I think everyone in Ireland is with him. I've never seen anything like the outpouring of text messages and gratitude."
"I think it's the way he carries himself, and I don't think this will change because he's well-grounded," he added.
