AKRON, Ohio — Shane Lowry remained somewhat of a mystery to the golf audience outside Ireland and parts of Europe.

Jim Furyk played with him on Saturday at the Bridgestone Invitational and was asked what he thought of the 28-year-old Irishman’s game. Furyk said he was impressed.

One day later, so was everyone else.

On a strong course at Firestone, with a trio of major champions chasing him, Lowry delivered the biggest round of his career. He played bogey-free for a 4-under 66, built a two-shot lead and produced two amazing shots and two clutch par saves for a two-shot victory over Bubba Watson.