Shane Lowry was eight shots off the lead when he exited more than an hour and a half before the final group of the third round of the PGA Championship. When he entered the clubhouse, he was just one shot behind.
That's because the Irishman shot a 9-under 62 on Saturday at Valhalla, tying the records for the lowest round and lowest par score in a major.
Xander Schauffele did the same on Thursday, tying the record of 62 he already owned. But his score was also the first time anyone had shot 9-under in a major round (Valhalla is a par 71, while the previous events occurred at par 70).
Now Schauffele has company.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Shane Lowry of Ireland reacts to his birdie on the 14th green during the third round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on May 18, 2024, in Louisville. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Lowry had a chance to make history, hitting the par-5 18th in three and leaving himself within about 10 feet for an unprecedented 61 in a major.
But his putt never went his way and he made par to tie Schauffele (Thursday and the 2023 US Open), Rickie Fowler (2023 US Open) and Branden Grace (2017 Open Championship).
The putt was also going to tie Schauffele for the tournament lead at 14 under, but Lowry has more than put himself in position to win his second major. At the time of this publication, he was tied for second place with 2020 PGA Champion Collin Morikawa.
He was incredulous when he didn't fall, but seemed happy when he realized a draw wasn't so bad.
Shane Lowry of Ireland reacts to his birdie with caddy Darren Reynolds on the 14th green during the third round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on May 18, 2024 in Louisville. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
TIGER WOODS TO MISS THE CUT AT THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER 2 TRIPLE BOGEYS IN A 3-HOLE STRAIGHT
Lowry parred the first hole, then birdied the next four before alternating between par and birdie from holes six through nine, entering the turn with a 29.
He birdied 13, 14 and 17 en route to the bogey-free round. In all, he made more than 161 feet of putts, including consecutive birdies of 37 feet, four inches and 32 feet, six inches on the 13th and 14th.
Lowry's best finish at the PGA Championship is a tie for fourth in 2021, when Phil Mickelson won at Kiawah Island to become the oldest major winner in history. Lowry also tied his lowest round, which he shot at Liberty National in Jersey City in the 2021 Northern Trust.
His only major win came at the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
Shane Lowry of Ireland reacts to his birdie putt on the 13th green during the third round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on May 18, 2024, in Louisville. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
With a win on Sunday, he would become the 21st multiple winner of the PGA Championship and the first since Justin Thomas in 2022.
Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage in Xand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
