Irish golfer Shane Lowry said he feared being “slaughtered” on social media if he did not accept the two-stroke penalty he received at The Open Championship on Friday.

Whether he won or tied for 35th, Shane Lowry's return to Royal Portrush six years after his Open championship win promised to be a special one. It has been anything but for the Irishman this week. While his week did start with a one-under 70,

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — Shane Lowry’s Portrush British Open defense won’t officially be dead until Sunday’s final round is complete. It didn’t officially end with the 3-over-par 74 he shot in Saturday’s third round.

Lowry had to contend with a virus, further hampering his comeback attempts, though the Irishman offered no excuses

Five of the last six Open Championship winners have had opening odds of +2000 or longer, including two of the past five victors having odds of +8000 or longer, in the major that has produced some of the most surprising winners in recent years.

Shane Lowry has been assessed a two-shot penalty for his golf ball moving in the rough on the 12th hole of the British Open.

Shane Lowry made a practice swing at the Open Championship that caused a ball to move, leading to a controversial two-stroke penalty.