As the PGA Tour’s premier event, The Players Championship, unfolds this week, there’s one contender who’s attracting attention beyond his performance on the green – Irish golf pro, Shane Lowry. Lowry, fresh off commendable stints during the first two days of the preceding Arnold Palmer Invitational, found himself under the spotlight in an unusual way.
Rob Gronkowski, the NFL legend from the New England Patriots, was seen doing a double-take upon encountering Lowry, who he believed bore an uncanny resemblance to NFL player Travis Kelce. This comparison, Gronkowski voiced out loud, sparking a fascinating revelation from Lowry. The golfer confessed that he had previously upped the ante on this look-alike concept by dressing up as Kelce for Halloween.
As Gronkowski queried Lowry, saying, “You look a lot like Travis Kelce, man! You hear that often?” Lowry responded, “I dressed up as him for Halloween.” The playful exchange signaled an unsuspected link between the worlds of golf and American football, further highlighted by Lowry’s commitment to the Halloween costume.
The Irish golfer’s Halloween tribute to Kelce didn’t stop with him. His daughter joined in the festivities, taking on the persona of pop icon Taylor Swift. The Instagram post celebrating this occasion featured other golfing stars as well, including Rory McIlroy making a striking appearance as Mario and Luke Donald, the Ryder Cup captain, dressed as a Chicago Cubs player.
The comparison between Lowry and Kelce wasn’t lost on fans either. When Lowry donned the shoulder pads and number 87 jersey for his Halloween act, the likeness to Kelce was uncanny. The robust build and the signature red beard undoubtedly added to the illusion. The warm Floridian October weather, where the PGA Tour’s Halloween celebrations took place, must have added to the authenticity of the experience.
As Lowry prepares to tee off for his tenth appearance at The Players Championship, he’s aiming to notch just his second top-ten finish. While Kelce, his NFL doppelganger, has been amassing Super Bowl victories, Lowry’s record on the PGA Tour has been modest with just two worldwide wins since his triumphant 2019 Open campaign in Northern Ireland.
Whether Lowry’s run at The Players Championship will prompt Kelce to join Gronkowski in his fan club remains to be seen. But one thing is certain – the conversation around the major champion will continue to feature these tight ends throughout the week. This unexpected intersection of golf and football is sure to keep fans of both sports eagerly tuned in.
