Shocking moment Shane Lowry says ‘they deserve to get hit’ after errant tee shot as Irish Open champ explains himself

SHANE LOWRY has revealed why he said a group of volunteers “deserved to get hit” after taking a tee shot at the Amgen Irish Open. The 39-year-old made the controversial remark on the 18th tee during the third round of the tournament on Saturday. Shane Lowry has explained why he said a group of volunteers ‘deserved to be hit’ Credit: EPA His comment was caught by TV microphones after he pulled a shot left Credit: X After pulling his drive left towards a crosswalk area, he appeared to say: “They deserved to get hit.” His comment was picked up by television microphones, leading to fan criticism on social media. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! But Lowry defended what he said after winning the tournament on Sunday. Speaking to the Irish Examiner in Doonbeg, he said: “It’s funny, right, because marshals obviously have a very tough job and they are volunteers. “But they get a little bit in the way at times, I feel like. And 18 was just two guys going across the fairway as I’m trying to hit the shot and it’s playing really hard. “There’s another guy walking… but anyways, you have to do a little bit yourself. But it was carnage out there. I did get a little bit… “The 18th tee shot for me, I practiced on Monday. I hit a tee shot 50 yards left out-of-bounds and for the rest of the week that’s all I could think about on that tee. It was quite an anxious tee box for me. “And even today, I had a 10-shot lead, and I was like, I just can’t wait to get this tee shot over and done with.” Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS His shot landed near a group of Marshals Credit: X Lowry cruised to a record-breaking eleven shots victory at the Amgen Irish Open. He later said: “This has been the most spectacular week. It’s been just mad. This has been a tough year for me, missing a few chances to win. “But I got it right here. I guess I don’t do things in half measures.” Lowry went on to win the tournament Credit: PA Comment now