Shane Lowry gave Sky Sports an unexpected headache during the third round of the BMW PGA Championship after letting slip an expletive that was broadcast live.
The Irishman, positioned in the middle of the fairway on the par-four 15th hole, struck what looked like a strong approach shot. But instead of holding the green, his ball skipped long, rolled down a slope, and left him facing a tricky up-and-down from the back. Frustrated by the bad break, Lowry could be heard clearly shouting: “I mean, you are f*****g joking.”
The colorful outburst was picked up by on-course microphones, forcing Sky’s commentary team to quickly issue an apology to viewers: “Sorry to hear that there, we weren’t joking!”
It wasn’t the first time Lowry has been caught cursing on the course, with similar incidents surfacing earlier this season. This time, the lapse came as he went on to card a bogey at the 15th, before bouncing back with birdies on the next two holes. However, another dropped shot at the last left him signing for a two-over-par 74, nine shots adrift of leader Viktor Hovland, who sits at 11-under.
Lowry has fond memories at Wentworth, having triumphed there in 2022 with a dramatic birdie on the 18th to edge out Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm by a single stroke. Reflecting at the time, he said:
“I am the happiest man in the world. It means a lot to win – it’s been a good year, I’ve been close a few times, and I really wanted to win one. This one was right at the top of the list.”
That victory marked one of the most satisfying moments of his career, but this week frustration rather than joy was the theme as microphones caught every word of his fiery reaction.
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