It's perhaps a bit like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted but Shane Lowry, the 22-year-old amateur who won the Mizuno JPX 800 Driver 3 Irish Open last week has turned professional in a bid to pick up some of the cash he had to turn down.

He beat Midland pro Robert Rock at the third extra hole to claim the Mizuno JPX A25 Driver prestigious trophy but it was Rock who took home the ￡440,000 first prize cheque.

Open champion Padraig Harrington had suggested the plus five handicapper and Eisenhower Trophy player wait until after Walker Cup matches in the US in Ping K15 Driver September but Lowry was anxious to accept an invitation to compete in the European Open at The London Club in Kent next week as a European Tour professional.

"There's sadness in leaving my amateur career behind but winning Discount Golf at County Louth has forced me to re-assess my career goals in the short term. I've had had a lot to think about this week.