 |
| Getty Images |
Shane Lowry is up to a career high No 40 in golf's official world rankings with Rory McIlroy remaining out on top.
A closing 68 at the Farmer's Open open saw the Offaly native miss the play-off by just two shots.
The Clara man completed his opening tournament of 2015 and first event in 10 weeks in a tie for seventh on seven-under with Martin Laird of Scotland (69), Nick Watney (73) and Jimmy Walker (73).
Having struggled with the South Course on Thursday with a disappointing 74 Lowry bounced back with a second round 67 on Friday. Having dipped again with a 72 for the third round Lowry saved much of his best golf for last.
This stirring effort was good enough to clinch for Lowry his first top-10 finish in the US, just two outside a four-man playoff between JB Holmes, Harris English, Jason Day and defending champion Scott Stallings for the 2015 Farmers Open title.
Rory McIlroy remains No 1 in the rankings with a lead of more than four points over Henrik Stenson while Tiger Woods fell to 62nd, his worst mark since the year he joined the PGA Tour in 1996.
Lowry famously won the 2009 Irish Open as an amateur, and within six years is set to make his Masters debut at Augusta National in April.
