Esker Hills celebrates 'favourite son' Shane Lowry

Esker Hills clubhouse, where Shane Lowry's golfing journey began, was packed to capacity for his Irish Open victory this evening.

Mr Lowry produced another golfing masterclass for a final round 63 as the home favourite cruised to a record 11-shot win on 23 under.

Club manager Ray Molloy said it was a "ridiculous result, he won it so easily".

"We've had excitement here before and we always think it won't get better from the last time, but as Shane said afterwards, it just gets better and better," he said.

"And we're so proud of what Shane has done and the way he conducted himself this week.

"He just managed himself on the golf course so well to bring about really a ridiculous result, he won it so easily."

A hall of fame marking Mr Lowry's victories to date stands proudly outside the clubhouse at Esker Hills.

Mr Molloy said that a new picture of Shane Lowry is ready to be erected alongside the rest tomorrow morning.

The men's captain at the Club Dermot Heffernan said that Shane Lowry "will always be our favourite son".

He said he was a great ambassador for the club and for the country.

Pamela Kerrigan, Lady Captain at the club, said it was a "full circle moment" for Shane Lowry and he was an inspiration to junior golfers coming up.

"He shows them that it absolutely can be done, it is possible," she said.