Shane Lowry’s chances of winning a second claret jug nearly went up in smoke on Saturday at Royal Troon’s par-4 11th, a hole that’s given the Irishman plenty of reason to lose his cool this week. Could say the same for the rest of the field, too.

Lowry’s second shot was a dead pull at the 11th in his third round, likely a product of the super-wet conditions and some back-nine pressure. As his ball motored toward potential disaster, a guardian angel in the form of an inside-the-ropes broadcaster/reporter got in the way. The ball ricocheted off the broadcaster’s leg and nestled in the short rough just off the fairway. Week: saved.

An all-time break. The type you remember years from now when looking back on a championship. The type you drop to your knees, look to the heavens and thank almighty God for.

Instead, after proceeding to chunk his third shot well short of the hole, Lowry could be heard on the NBC broadcast saying “buddy, in the future, don’t stand in the …” before the sound cut out. According to No Laying Up, this is how the rest of that sentence sounded, possibly on a different feed:

Lowry did manage to save bogey at the 11th, but bogeys at the 12th and 14th holes have seen his lead completely disappear. He’s now in the position of chaser at three under, two back of leaders Billy Horschel and Daniel Brown.

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