IRISH GOLF HAS NEVER HAD IT THIS GOOD AS A GOLDEN PERIOD GOES ON

IRISH golf's golden age reached its peak moment when Shane Lowry drained the putt of his life at Bethpage Black.

- BY MICHAEL SCULLY

This year is the cherry on top of a remarkable 18 years that saw this small island become a sporting superpower at world level.

Watching Rory Mcilroy crawl across the line at Augusta in April to become the latest member of the Grand Slam club was euphoric.

Irish fans watching events unfold from Long Island on Sunday had a similar experience as creeping dread gave way to relief and joy when Lowry holed the birdie on 18 to earn the half point that retained the Ryder Cup for Europe.

In between, Mcilroy delivered a magnificent finish to the Amgen Irish Open at the K Club.

On one level there's a concern that, as the main protagonists get older, this unprecedented era will soon come to an end.

Could the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor be the final fling for the golden generation?