Shane Lowry picks up huge cheque as Valspar Championship prize money revealed

Offaly golfer Shane Lowry has won another big chunk of change after his 8th place finish at the Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour.

The Clara man was in fine form and briefly led the tournament on Sunday before finishing up in 8th, five shots behind eventual winner, Viktor Hovland. 

Shane hit just one bogey but could only manage two birdies in his final round of 71 having earlier put himself right into contention with a 67 on Friday. 

Despite that, Lowry collected prize money of $245,775 (€227,000) for his 8th place finish making it a very worthwhile week's work. Fellow Irish golfer Seamus Power picked up the same amount of prize money having joined Lowry in a share of 8th place.

Tournament winner Viktor Hovland picked up a cheque for over $1.5m having secured victory with a round of 67 on Sunday. Lowry and Hovland could well be Ryder Cup teammates later this year with Hovland's victory doing his chances of making the European team alongside Lowry and the likes of Rory McIlroy no harm. 

Both players will be hoping to capture some of their best form ahead of the first major championship of the year, the US Masters, taking place at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, USA, from April 10.

READ NEXT: Shane Lowry jumps up Official World Golf Rankings after another top ten finish on PGA Tour

The result has jumped Shane from 15th up to 12th in the latest World Rankings after a very successful Florida swing on the PGA Tour. It is his highest ever spot in the rankings having come into the year ranked at number 27.

He has recorded three top ten finishes on the PGA Tour in February and March and he also recorded an 11th place finish and a 20th place finish at The Players Championship.