Lowry gets his man

Irish Open champion Shane Lowry has found a top caddie as he prepares to take on America.

Dermot ByrneBray's Dermot Byrne, who ended his five year relationship with Peter Lawrie after last week's SAS Masters, will begin work for his new boss in Czech Republic this week before they head to Akron for the $8.5m WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone.

Lowry romped to a shock victory in the Irish Open at Baltray as an amateur with his pal Dave "Shaper" Reynolds on the bag, earning his tour card and a place in the megabucks Bridgestone and HSBC Champions World Golf Championships.

The pair stayed together on a trial basis but spilt following the Barclays Scottish Open earlier this month after five events together.

Byrne, 33, has been caddying on tour for the past 14 years and hails from the famous, Bray-based Byrne caddie clan. His previous employers include Scotland's Stephen Gallacher.

He is reported to have been impressed by Lowry when he and Lawrie were paired with the Offaly youngster at Loch Lomond. According to Lowry's manager Conor Ridge, Byrne made himself available when he heard that the Irish Open champion was looking for a new caddie. 

Niclas Fasth's regular caddie, Irishman Gerry Byrne (not related) has stepped in to caddie for Lawrie in this week's Moravia Silesia Open until the Castleknock touring professional finds a replacement.

Gareth Maybin, Michael Hoey, Gary Murphy and Damien McGrane complete a six-strong Irish challenge in the Czech Republic.