Portrush (Northern Ireland) (AFP)

Irishman Shane Lowry won his first Grand Slam golf title by winning the British Open in the style of a Tiger Woods, eliminated on Friday, to become a second "no-rank" to take a major title in 2019, after American Gary Woodland at the US Open, Sunday on the course of Portrush in Northern Ireland, swept by the wind.

"It's like an immaterial experience, I can not wait to wake up on Monday morning and find out what it's like to win (the Open), so it'll be just amazing," said Lowry, smiling.

Despite a last card of 72 (+1) for a total of 269, or 15 under par, Lowry, 32, has advanced six strokes English Tommy Fleetwood, his dolphin since Saturday.

Tony Finau of the United States took 3rd place (-7) ahead of his compatriot Brooks Koepka (N.1 world) and the Englishman Lee Westwood (-6). The Italian Francesco Molinari, crowned last year, made a nice comeback to finish 11th (-3), while he was at +2 the day before. He also signed the most beautiful card of the day (66, -5).

The difficult weather conditions have also baffled several players, like the American JB Holmes, co-leader with Lowry Friday and still 3rd Saturday, who tumbled to 68th place after an improbable card of 87, or 16 at above par.

- Ten years ago... -

On a cloud Saturday (8 birdies), and despite a Sunday more difficult (4 birdies, 5 bogeys), here is Lowry with the famous Claret Jug, like his elder and fellow Padraig Harrington (2007, 2008). His performance is all the more remarkable because almost ten years ago, he had made a sensational debut in the felted world of the little white ball, with a victory at the Irish Open, precisely , as an amateur.

The Irish public, weaned from British for 68 years, was able to give free rein to his joy and enthusiasm, even though he was expecting especially the new coronation of the country's child, Rory McIlroy, after his triumph in 2014. But like Tiger Woods, he was eliminated at the "cut" on Friday.

After Tiger Woods' thundering comeback at the Masters with a 15th major trophy, 11 years after his predecessor, golf specialists and golfers were dreaming of a circuit boss in the person of the American champion. Las, eliminated in the "cut" at the PGA Championship, won by Brooks Koepka, he took only 21st place at the US Open.

As a result, two of the four Grand Slams were won by "novices", as in 2018, with Patrick Reed at the Masters and Molinari at the Open.

Benjamin Hébert and Romain Langasque finished respectively in 41st place (286, +2) and 63rd place (289, + 5). Small consolation for the two French: they did better than the Spaniard Sergio Garcia, winner of the Masters 2017 (+6).

kieran / jc / sk / chc

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