Irish eyes are smiling

It would be hard to overstate the joy generated in Ireland by native son Shane Lowry's victory in the 3 Irish Open on Sunday.

"Shane's golf success a tonic for all," declares a headline over an editorial in the Evening Herald. "In these recessionary times," the editorial says, "marvellous feats like this victory by a down-to-earth 22-year-old are just the tonic for us all."

"President congratulates Lowry on win," a headline in the Irish Times says. "Shane Lowry has shown tremendous determination and talent in the last four days, as he took on and matched some of the best golfers in the world," President Mary McAleese said.

"Raise a cheer for plucky Lowry," an Independent editorial headline says. The editorial states: "It was a very good day to recall that there is more to life than economic gloom or the squalid events described day after day in the criminal courts. Time to raise a cheer."

Lowry was an amateur, playing in first professional tournament, and already he is a national hero.

-- John Strege