Shane Lowry wins Bridgestone

Shane Lowry became the  first non PGA player to win one of their events since Martin Kaymer in 2010. The Irishman won the Irish Open as amateur and is living proof that being overweight is no bar to winning tourneys. You would expect him to be a big hitter but he is a elegant and accurate chipper. I would have put my missus’ housekeeping on either Justin Rose or Jim Furyk, both excellent course managers, to take the title. My money was on Justin. I also  followed Steve Palmer on Henrik  Stensen. My annoyance that the Iceman bogeyed the 18th on the final round to slip out of the top five will be to some extent placated by Steve’s anger in his Racing Post column that the betting gods are against him once again.

This week is the fourth of the Majors, the PGA at a links course, Whispering Straits in Wisconsin. This was Rory  McIlroy ‘s first Major, overshadowed by the London Olympics, and it’s good for golf and him that he can compete. You would be foolhardy to ignore Jordan Spieth but he would be a skinny price. My money an ante-post tickle at 35-1 is on Dustin Johnson as his big hitting game will hold up well should it become windy.