The Open 2025: Shane Lowry won’t be called ‘cheat’ after two-stroke penalty

Shane Lowry said he would not be called a “cheat” after accepting a two-stroke penalty during the second round of the Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

The R&A judged that the Irishman, who lifted the Claret Jug at Portrush in 2019, caused his ball to move during a practice swing on the 12th hole with the penalty.

Lowry said he did not see the ball move and was “disappointed” that the decision was not based on footage from more camera angles.

Ireland’s Lowry finished his round on two-under but was told of the penalty when on the 15th hole.

The penalty leaves Lowry on level-par, one shot above the projected cut line and he drops from a tie for 17th to tied for 34th.

Lowry, 38, said he would have called a penalty on himself if he felt he had moved the ball and said he was not “arguing” his case with the rules official.

“The last thing I want to do is sit there and argue and not take the penalty and then get slaughtered all over social media tonight for being a cheat,” said the world number 18.

“I’m disappointed that they don’t have more camera angles on it. The one zoomed in slow motion – they’re trying to tell me if it doesn’t move from the naked eye, if you don’t see it moving, it didn’t move.

“I told them I definitely was looking down towards the ball as I was taking that practice swing, and I didn’t see it move.”

Knowing he had a potential penalty, Lowry then birdied the 15th and said he “played his way” into the weekend as he survived the cut by one stroke.