Shane Lowry addresses the media after capturing the 148th Open Championship

Portrush, Northern Ireland - On Sunday evening in Northern Ireland a

legendary celebration of epic proportions was taking place, not just

because the long 68 year wait for the Open Championship to return

had been realized - but because an Irishman was victorious.

Shane Lowry of the Republic of Ireland, had seized control of the Open

Championship with a superb 63 on Saturday. In brutal conditions on Sunday,

Lowry shot a brilliant one over par 72 in gusty winds and heavy rain to finish

at 15 under par, six clear of runner-up Tommy Fleetwood. Lowry's march

down the home stretch was a raucous seaside celebration of singing and

cheer, unifying all in attendance and throughout the Emerald Isle. On

occasions like these all of Ireland becomes ONE - links golf has that much

pull in this end of the world.

Sleeping on a four shot-54 hole lead Saturday night was tough on the

33 year old seeking his first major title. "Obviously, I didn't sleep very

well," Lowry said. "I slept for about 4 or 5 hours last night, and I normally

throw a good 8 to 10 hours at it. So wake up in the middle of the night

thinking about all sorts, and I was awake at half past 6 this morning."

For an Irishman who grew up just 180 miles south of Portrush in the

town of Clara, this is the stuff of which legends are made. Hometown

Northern Irishman and good friend of Lowry, Graeme McDowell offered

up this observation as his mate was coming down the inward stretch home,

"If he holds on and gets this done, Portrush will be a mess tonight".

Indeed GMac, let the Guiness flow...

Scores: https://www.theopen.com/leaderboard

Bernd Wiesberger celebrates after winning at the Renaissance Club.

Scotland - Bernd Wiesbereger sank a clutch six footer for par on the final

hole of regulation to force a playoff with Frenchman Benjamin Hebert-who

shot a final round 62 at Tom Doak's Renaissance Club. In extra holes,

Wiesberger claimed victory with another par on the 18th hole.

Wiesberger shot a final round 69, and while both players finished at 22

under par in regulation, it appeared that Hebert would be the favorite

going into sudden death - but he faltered in the playoff, three putting

twice. Although Hebert came up short, he did secure a birth at the Open

Championship at Royal Portrush, not a bad consolation prize. The win

was Bernd Wiesberger's sixth career title on the European Tour.

Italy's Nino Bertasio and the ever popular Andrew "Beef" Johnston from

England were the others who gained entry to the Open next week.

Rory McIlroy finished tied for 34th after a final round 69 (13 under par total).

Scores:

http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2019/tournamentid=2019060/leaderboard/index.html#/results

Frittelli Takes John Deere

Dylan Frittelli heads to the Open Championship as a PGA Tour winner.

Sylvis, Illinois - Dylan Frittelli blistered the TPC Deere Run layout

- firing a final round 64 to win the John Deere Classic, punching

his ticket to Royal Portrush, next year's Masters, the Players and

just about every other event that he chooses to add to his schedule

moving forward.

Frittelli wasn't the only player to secure future playing status,

Colin Morikawa finished second at the 3M Championship just last

week had another top 5 finish to lock up his PGA Tour card for the

2019-2020 season. Frittelli, who finished at 21 under par, two strokes

ahead of runner-up Russel Henley, had previously been struggling

and was facing the possibility of heading to the Korn Ferry Finals to

retain playing status for next season. So what was the difference

this week? "It was mental clarity", said Frittelli. His work with noted

sports psychologist Jay Brunza has helped him deal with letting the

outcome of shots go, regardless of result - not to over react. After

driving the 14th hole on Sunday, Frittelli three putted and moved on

to the next. "I think I was the only one on the course who smiled

after a three putt."

He'll be smiling all the way to N.Ireland this week at Royal Portrush . . .

Scores: https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html

Matthew Wolff shows off the crystal after capturing the 3M Open

Blaine, Minnesota - The inaugural 3M Open looked as if a playoff was a

certainty when Bryson DeChambeau rolled in his 6 ft eagle putt at the

last (to reach 20 under par) while Collin Morikawa and Matthew Wolff

stood in the fairway with irons in hand ready to give it a go themselves.

Both Morikawa and Wolff executed their approaches successfully reaching

the 573 yard par 5 with lengthy eagle chances. Wolf's approach settled up

against the fringe in an awkward spot some 26 feet from the cup, while

Morikawa faced a straight-forward 22 foot putt from the middle of the

putting surface. Wolf would do well just to get down in two to tie Bryson,

but coming out of OSU just 6 weeks after becoming the NCAA Individual

Champion - Wolf lived up to the hype and drained the eagle, sending the

crowd into a frenzy. Now suddenly trailing by two and facing a must make

eagle putt of his own, Morikawa narrowly missed his attempt on the low side

tying the "Mad Scientist" for 2nd place at 20 under par. It was a stunning

and dramatic conclusion to the Twin Cities newest sporting event.

"I'm not really an emotional guy, but tears came to my eyes," Wolff said.

Morikawa who played junior golf against Wolff while the two grew up in

California wasn't surprised by how it ended. "The way we were playing

today, it was going to go in. One of us was going to drop one in," Morikawa

said.

Canadian Adam Hadwin was 4th, finishing at 18 under par. Lucas Glover

who finished early in the day fired a final round 62 to vault up the board

to tie for 6th at 16 under par.

Wolff earned $1.53 million and a two year exemption on the PGA Tour in

only his fourth start on tour.

Scores: https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/3m-open/leaderboard.html