Shane Lowry wins Portugal Masters

Shane Lowry won his first tournament as a professional at the Portugal Masters with a one shot victory over Englishman Ross Fisher

Shane Lowry won his first tournament as a professional with a one shot victory over Englishman Ross Fisher at the European Tour's Portugal Masters.

The Irishman, who won his national open as a amateur in 2007, recorded rounds of 67, 70, 67 and 66 to complete the event on 270, 14-under-par.

Lowry started the final round four strokes behind Austrian Berndt Wiesberger but surged to the top of the leaderboard after a birdie at 10 and an eagle two at 11.

He added two more birdies at 15 and 17, but a bogey five at the par-4 18th hole looked like it might have cost him victory.

Fisher, playing in the final group, needed a par on the 18th to force a play-off, but he left his birdie putt from the fringe five feet short before agonisingly lipping out for the most costly of bogeys.

"I cannot believe this. I can't explain how I feel really, it's a dream come true - I'm over the moon," said Lowry.

"Everyone was referring to me as the fella who won the Irish Open as an amateur, but now I've won such a prestigious event I don't know what to say."I

With the victory Lowry has picked up a cheque for €375,000 and moved to 29th in the Race to Dubai standings.

Fisher finished alone in second place, with Michael Campbell, who made two consective cuts for the first time in three and a half years, alone in third on 12-under-par.

Overnight leader Wiesberger carded a final-round 73 to finish alone in fourth place, with Englishman Richard Finch completing the top five.

Portugal Masters Oceanico Victoria Golf Course, Algarve, Portugal October 12-15, purse €2,241,625

1. Shane Lowry    67-70-67-66   270 (-14) €375,000 2. Ross Fisher      65-67-69-70   271(-13) €250,000 3. Michael Campbell      68-69-67-68   272 (-12) €140,850 4. Berndt Wiesberger   70-65-65-73   273 (-11) €112,500 5. Richard Finch   70-68-66-70   274 (-10) €95,400

Bold signifies Titleist golf ball usage.

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x