Shane Lowry channels Seve for WGC-Bridgestone win

Shane Lowry was ready for a moment like this. He just needed a few things to go his way.

They did on Sunday at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, as the 28-year-old shot a bogey-free, 4-under 66 to win for the first time on the PGA Tour. His 11-under 269 total was good enough for a two-shot win over Bubba Watson and a four-shot edge over 54-hole co-leaders Jim Furyk and Justin Rose.

Lowry took control in the final round as Furyk and Rose stumbled behind him. The Irishman went without a blemish on his card on Sunday, but he didn’t play flawless golf. Time and again, Lowry managed to salvage par from precarious positions. However, he saved his best trick for last.

On the 18th hole, Lowry’s drive went well left of the fairway, forcing him to choose between pitching out and hoping to make par from inside 100 yards or taking on the hero shot and hoping the old adage proved true, that trees are 90 percent air. Lowry went with the latter, executing with a laid-back wedge that sent the ball sailing through an overhanging tree protecting the green and onto the putting surface 12 feet away for a tournament-clinching birdie. Sure enough, Lowry made the winning putt and commenced fist-pumping in celebration.

With the win, Lowry, who had been a special temporary PGA Tour member, now has full membership and he moves into the top 20 in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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