In a dramatic twist at the Open Championship, Shane Lowry's hopes of clinching another claret jug on home soil faced a brutal setback during the second round at Royal Portrush. Lowry was slapped with a two-shot penalty after officials ruled he caused his ball to move while preparing for his second shot on the 12th hole.

The stunning penalty was not revealed to Lowry until he was already on the 15th fairway, where he was performing admirably at 2 under par for the tournament. Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler was surging ahead, adding to the tension.

Despite the penalty, Lowry managed to sink a birdie on the 15th, finishing the round with a total of 1-over 72. He now sits at even par for the championship, a staggering 10 shots behind the leader, Scheffler.

Chaos and Confusion Surrounds Penalty Decision

Lowry's group faced a hefty delay of over 20 minutes in the scoring trailer, leaving other groups waiting anxiously. The controversy revolved around whether Lowry’s infraction—with the rules citing he caused the ball to move—was visible to the naked eye.

Upon reviewing slow-motion footage, officials concluded that the ball’s movement was indeed discernible. However, Lowry contested he couldn’t see the movement during his practice swing, expressing his frustration over the lack of multiple camera angles.

"I’m still not sure, to be honest, whether it was or not," Lowry stated. "But I had to take the penalty because I can’t have my name tossed around like that. It’s obviously very disappointing."

The Fine Line of Golf Etiquette

R&A officials clarified the reasoning behind their decision. They outlined that for a penalty to apply, the movement must be indisputable and the player must be responsible for causing it. In Lowry's case, the officials observed his club engaging with the rough directly before the ball shifted.

Although Lowry accepted the penalty gracefully, citing the importance of integrity in golf, the situation raised eyebrows throughout the tournament. Competitor Scottie Scheffler commented on the challenge, stating it was a hard position for Lowry to be in and acknowledged the emotional weight of the situation.

"He handled it really well. It’s frustrating for him, and for everyone watching," Scheffler remarked. "The last thing you want in this game is to be labeled as a cheat."

As round three approaches, all eyes will be on Lowry as he aims to shake off the disappointment and fight back in this prestigious tournament.