Shocking moment Shane Lowry is caught on hot mic saying spectators ‘deserve to get hit’ after errant tee shot at the Irish Open

Shane Lowry has come under fire after being heard saying a group of spectators ‘deserve to get hit’ after an errant tee shot in their direction at the Irish Open.

Lowry, who leads his home tournament heading into Sunday’s final round, struck the errant tee shot on the 18th on Saturday.

The 39-year-old Irishman pulled his tee shot way to the left on the course, inadvertently sending it in the direction of spectators stood behind the ropes in a viewing area.

Lowry could be heard urgently shouting ‘fore, fore’ in a bid to warn the spectators that the ball was heading in their direction.

Footage showed the spectators, who were near a group of marshals, remaining stationary despite his warning.

Lowry was then caught by microphones stating: ‘They deserve to get hit.’

Several fans hit out at Lowry for the remark on social media, calling for the Irishman to apologise to the fans.

‘He would never have said that when he was starting his career off? Paying punters cheering him on. How dare he. The fans deserve an apology. Who does he think he is?’ one fan wrote.

‘He should apologise or be fined. Horrible comment to make,’ another said.

‘An absolute disgrace, some role model,’ a third said, while another wrote ‘Your man wishing spectators and or volunteers deserved to be hit by a snap hook with a driver! Can do some serious damage.’

Some other fans were more sympathetic towards Lowry’s outburst, suggesting that his comment was made in apparent frustration at the fans failing to move after his warning.

Despite the tee shot, Lowry was able to save par on the 18th to take a four-shot lead into the final round, as he looks to secure his first victory since 2022.

Lowry, who set a course-record 62 on Friday at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, thanked the crowd for their support following his round.

‘I feel like I did a great job today of staying in the moment and playing my own game,’ Lowry said.

Lowry appeared to make the comment in frustration after fans failed to heed his warning to move clear of his errant tee shot

‘I had so much fun out there on the back nine, the crowds were incredible and cheered me on the whole way home.

‘Hopefully they do the same tomorrow.’ 

Lowry had kept his focus on a day when US President Donald Trump’s arrival, which came as part of a two-day visit to Ireland, had briefly led to a halt in play.

The Irish star, whose closest challenger is Jacob Skov Olesen, will be hoping to seal victory at the tournament for the first time since 2009.