Shane Lowry told to axe sponsor: "It's deeply upsetting and offensive"

PGA Tour golfer Shane Lowry has been urged by bereaved family members of the Grenfell disaster to cut ties with one of his biggest sponsors.

Ben Smith

02 Sep 2024

PGA Tour golfer and Ryder Cup star Shane Lowry is facing calls from bereaved family members of the Grenfell Tower disaster to cut ties with one of his biggest sponsors, according to a report by the Irish Times.

Lowry entered into a contract with Kingspan one month before the fire in June 2017 which claimed the lives of 72 people.

Kingspan made some of the combustible insulation that was used in the tower's refurbishment.

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During the public inquiry into the disaster, the company were accused by Richard Millett KC of malpractice in the 'development, testing, promotion and sale' of the foam insulation product.

Milett accused Kingspan of misleading the market about the safety and compliance of the material for tall buildings.

Kingspan have admitted to 'process shortcomings' but said none were causative to the fire.

In a previous statement submitted to the inquiry, a spokesperson for the company said: "The Grenfell Tower fire was a tragedy that should never have happened, and Kingspan supports the crucial work of the inquiry to determine what went wrong and why.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the bereaved families and survivors."

You can read Kingspan's full response to the allegations here.

The second and final public inquiry report into the disaster is due to be published next week.

Conclusions about Kingspan's overall responsibility will be made.

A committee member for of the Grenfell United group, Ed Daffarn, told the Irish Times Lowry has not responded to their letters.

"We've been writing to him for years, saying get this sponsorship off your arm," he said.

"It's deeply upsetting and deeply offensive, and he doesn't reply to us. This is where all that stops."

The group have been successful with their campaigning efforts in the past.

In 2021, they convinced the Mercedes F1 team to drop Kingspan as a sponsor of their car, driven by Lewis Hamilton.

Lowry's management agency, Horizon Sports, were approached for comment.

Kingspan is one of Lowry's many sponsors.

Srixon/Cleveland are undoubtedly his biggest.

He has been a staff player with the equipment manufacturer since 2010.

Elsewhere, Lowry is sponsored by the Bank of Ireland and Immedis.

Over the weekend, Lowry received one of his biggest pay cheques to date on the PGA Tour after he was one of 30 players who qualified to compete at the season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake.

Lowry finished in a tie for ninth and scooped $1,608,333.

To date, his career earnings are $23,225,759.