Shane Lowry came agonisingly close to securing his first DP World Tour victory since 2022, only for a disastrous final hole to derail his chances at the Dubai Invitational.
The Offaly native produced an excellent final-round performance on Sunday, putting himself firmly in contention throughout the day. Lowry battled with Rory McIlroy and several other challengers, eventually stepping onto the 18th tee with a one-shot lead and the tournament within touching distance.
Lowry started the final hole well, producing an excellent drive down the fairway that left him with a very manageable approach shot. However, what followed would prove costly.
His second shot found the greenside bunker. While far from ideal, the situation was still salvageable. An up-and-down was well within reach, especially as Spain’s Nacho Elvira had just moved into a tie for the lead with a birdie on the 17th.
Disaster then struck from the sand. Lowry’s bunker shot flew beyond the green and into the water on the far side, instantly turning a controllable situation into a nightmare.
Forced to take a drop, Lowry was playing his fifth shot on the par-four. While he recovered reasonably well with a solid chip and putt, the damage was already done, and he carded a double bogey on the hole.
That error ended his chances of victory. Elvira went on to claim the title at ten-under-par, with a simple par on the 18th having been enough to send Lowry into a play-off.
A tied-third finish remains a respectable result, but given the position he held heading down the final fairway, it will feel like a major missed opportunity for Lowry in Dubai.
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18th January 2026
12:47pm GMT
