Sky commentator ‘astonished’ by stat as Shane Lowry shoots 62 at PGA Championship

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Rich Beem shared what amazed him as Shane Lowry became the fourth male golfer to shoot a round of 62 in a major championship with his third round at the PGA Championship.

Heading into the weekend at Valhalla, few were probably getting too excited about the prospect of Shane Lowry contending in Kentucky with the Irishman eight shots back of the lead.

However, Lowry would produce a stunning third round performance, making nine birdies to add his name to the record books.

The 2019 Open champion actually had a makable putt on the last to become the first man to shoot 61 in a major. But his putt trickled agonisingly left of the hole to ensure that he joins Branden Grace, Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler in the 62 club.

Rich Beem astonished as Shane Lowry shoots 62 at PGA Championship

Grace became the first to reach that number back in 2017, while Schauffele and Fowler opened their 2023 US Open campaigns with 62s. Schauffele, of course, did it once again in the opening round of this PGA Championship.

And speaking on Sky Sports (broadcast on 18/5; 22:08) as Lowry tapped in, Rich Beem spoke of his disbelief at how recently the majority of those rounds have come.

“I’m astonished, that stat came up earlier how four of those rounds of 62 have come in the last two years. I think that just shows the quality of golfers that we have now in the game, and the quality of the golf courses,” he said.

“Hats off to Shane, what an amazing round of golf.”

Picking a winner now even tougher

It is incredible to think that no male player had shot a 62 in a major before 2017, particularly when you think of how dominant someone like Tiger Woods was.

Obviously, there will be a number of reasons, including the improvement in equipment and, as Beem suggests, the quality of the courses these players play on.

What it does show ahead of the final round of the PGA Championship on Sunday is that a few more names than normal are potentially in contention.

Lowry was eight back of the lead before Saturday and now has a genuine chance heading into the final round.

Of course, anyone that far back before Sunday is relying on a number of players having a quiet day, but clearly, there is the opportunity to go very, very low around Valhalla before the leaders get stuck into their rounds.