Shane Lowry caddie change leads Travelers bag shuffle
Shane Lowry's caddie change came right after he missed the cut at the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. The 2019 Open champion parted ways with Darren Reynolds and brought back former bagman Dermot Byrne for the Travelers Championship only, while he weighs a longer-term plan.
Key Takeaways
- Lowry split from Reynolds after missing the U.S. Open cut; Today's Golfer reported he missed by two shots with back-to-back 73s.
- Byrne, who caddied for Lowry during the first decade of his pro career, returns on a one-week basis at TPC River Highlands.
- Lowry told Golfweek he has "no idea really" about his permanent caddie plan beyond this week's final $20 million Signature Event.
- Other Travelers swaps include John Ellis for Chris Gotterup and Julien Trudeau with rookie Sudarshan Yellamaraju, per Golfweek.
- After Travelers, Lowry plans to return home to Ireland before the Genesis Scottish Open and the Open at Royal Birkdale.
Why did Shane Lowry change caddies after the U.S. Open?
Shane Lowry is the latest prominent PGA Tour player to change caddies ahead of the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut. Speaking at TPC River Highlands, he confirmed he parted ways with Darren Reynolds following last week's missed cut at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, according to Golfweek.
Reynolds had been on Lowry's bag since early 2023, the New York Post reported, after Lowry moved on from Brian "Bo" Martin. The split lands during a frustrating stretch for the 39-year-old Irishman, who told the Irish Times that "golf is just not agreeing with me at the moment," as cited by Today's Golfer.
Lowry said he felt something was missing in his game despite rolling the ball well at Shinnecock. He is still searching for his first win of 2026, though the Post noted he owns two top-10 finishes this season and three career PGA Tour victories.
Who is Dermot Byrne and how long will he stay on the bag?
Lowry made what Golfweek described as a call to the bullpen, reuniting with Dermot Byrne, the caddie who worked his bag for the first 10 years of his career. Byrne is back strictly for the Travelers because Lowry needed a looper on short notice.
"We'll see what the plan is going forward. No idea really," Lowry told Golfweek. The New York Post added that Byrne gives Lowry an experienced, familiar voice as he tries to steady his season quickly, with the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale looming in mid-July.
Lowry won the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush with Bo Martin on his bag. Golfweek noted Martin had recently been working for Min Woo Lee until the Australian switched to Shane Joel.
Which other PGA Tour pros swapped caddies this week?
Lowry was not the only player shaking up his team in Cromwell. Golfweek's Adam Schupak reported several other moves across the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour.
John Ellis is filling in for Chris Gotterup while regular caddie Brady Stockton takes the week off ahead of his wife expecting a baby. Ellis, who caddied for Wyndham Clark during his 2023 U.S. Open win, had the week off from Max Homa, who is not exempt for signature events.
Julien Trudeau, formerly with Mackenzie Hughes, has started working for Canadian rookie Sudarshan Yellamaraju. Travis McAlister is on Tom Hoge's bag, while Steve "Pepsi" Hale and Micah Fugitt took new assignments on the Korn Ferry Tour.
What happens next for Lowry on and off the course?
The Travelers is the last Signature Event of the 2026 PGA Tour season on the calendar, Today's Golfer noted, carrying a $20 million purse. For Lowry, the week is as much about finding form as settling his caddie situation.
Today's Golfer reported he will return home to Ireland after Cromwell before heading to the Genesis Scottish Open. His focus then shifts to the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale, where every player-caddie pairing will draw close scrutiny.
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