A course marshal was thrown backwards by Shane Lowry’s drive (Image: Sky Sports)
Shane Lowry inadvertently struck a course marshal on the shoulder with a wayward drive at . The Irishman’s strike from the tee at the start of the 15th round caused momentary panic as fans wondered whether the volunteer was okay.
The errant shot flew 92 feet into the air at 169mph and soared towards the green. As the ball headed towards the ground, it became clear that the ball might strike the marshal, who was seemingly unaware that it was heading in his direction at quite a speed.
Lowry’s shot struck the man heavily on the shoulder and rebounded away. The marshal rolled over and there were audibly concerned shouts of “Ooooh!” before a silence.
Broadcasters confirmed that the man was okay. However, Sky Sports commentator Andrew Coltart believed Lowry could have avoided the incident entirely.
“Oh dear. Didn’t hear him shout ‘fore’. We need to be hearing players shout ‘fore’,” Coltart said.
Lowry ended up finishing second in the competition. The 37-year-old finished a place behind winner , who claimed his first PGA Tour title on the Pebble Beach course.
The Northern Irishman finished the week on 21-under par with Lowry two shots back on 19-under par. He was delighted with a fine win on one of golf’s most famous courses.
“Some people would argue the golf courses I have won on are not up to a Pebble Beach or an Augusta [standard], but to win at one of the cathedrals of golf is really, really cool,” McIlroy said afterwards.
Shane Lowry finished second at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (Image: Getty)
“I knew today was going to be tough, it was going to be exciting, there were so many guys around the lead and I guess with it being Pebble Beach I had to put that to the back of my mind and go out there and try to shoot a score, which I was able to.
“Really cool to have that walk up 18 and take it all in. I said to Harry (Diamond, his caddie) walking up the last, start as you mean to go on.
“I’m just as determined this year in any of the years I’ve been out here on the PGA Tour and to get this win this early it means a great deal and hopefully just keep the momentum going into Torrey Pines in a couple of weeks’ time.”