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Five-star recruit Oliviyah Edwards commits to South Carolina after decommitting from Tennessee.
Shane Lowry has praised NFL kicker Charlie Smyth for his impressive rise in the league. The two Irishmen connected ahead of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, where Lowry is competing.
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New Orleans Saints kicker Charlie Smyth has enjoyed a dream journey in the National Football League (NFL), which has caught the eye of Shane Lowry.
Lowry caught up with his fellow Irishman Smyth ahead of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the latest event on the PGA Tour.
The former is playing alongside five-time major champion Brooks Koepka in the team event, but he was able to walk TPC Louisiana with Smyth in the build-up.
And Lowry has now shared his admiration for his countryman, who has quickly become one of the most exciting players in the NFL.
Lowry was asked ahead of the Zurich Classic if he already knew of Smyth and had followed his recent exploits, and indeed if he is a fan of the sport.
He replied: āA few questions there, but Charlie⦠I was actually explaining to Brooks out there, early on I knew Charlie was going to walk a few holes.
āHis story is incredible. He kicked his first football, American football, only in 2023, and now heās kicking for the Saints. Itās a pretty quick rise to that level of that sport.
āYeah, Iāve been following what heās been doing. He had a couple of pretty cool kind of occasions last season where he kicked the game-winner. Heās been doing very well.
āItās just interesting to get to talk to him. Heās only young. God, heās only 24. Makes me feel quite old, but you know, itās nice to see Irish people doing well, and especially over here in America.
āItās nice to come to these places and seeing young, successful Irish people. Iām going to go and have lunch with him now.
āI think weāll stay in touch after this. I am a fan of football. I really got into it especially last season. I really enjoyed it.
Shane Lowry described Charlie Smyth's journey in the NFL as 'incredible' and praised his achievements.
Charlie Smyth is the kicker for the New Orleans Saints.
Shane Lowry is participating in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
Shane Lowry is playing alongside five-time major champion Brooks Koepka in the Zurich Classic.
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āYeah, I said a few weeks ago, I started following the [Chicago] Bears for some reason. I might have to switch over to the Saints now with Charlie, but you never know.ā
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It has indeed been a stunning and rapid rise from Smyth, who joined the Saints in the 2024 offseason through the NFLās International Player Pathway Program.
He assumed kicking duties for the last six games of the 2025 season, recording 12 out of 16 field goal attempts, four of which were from 50 yards or longer.
When asked if he knew of Smyth before he moved to the team, PGA Tour ace Lowry said: āSo I would have⦠you know, he was young playing Gaelic football in Ireland.
āI wouldnāt have really known who he was until the start talking about the international pathway. Iām not sure of all the correct terms, so correct me if Iām wrong.
āA lot of Irish people were⦠it created big news back home in Ireland, the fact we could have a kicker. There was a few guys going for it in the NFL. Itās been incredible what heās done.
āI donāt think people at home even realize how big itās been or how big it is, you know, to go from not doing something to two years youāre at the top of the sport. Itās pretty cool.
āObviously Iāll be watching him from here on in, and hopefully he can get that starting place on the Saints and kick some winners.ā
Smyth earned his mega-move after impressing as a goalkeeper in Gaelic football, a hugely popular sport in Ireland.
Lowry incidentally recently showed off his skills in another Irish sport, having played hurling at Augusta National just before The Masters earlier this month.
But his focus turns back to golf for the Zurich Classic, which he won alongside his close friend Rory McIlroy in 2024.
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