How can you tell that an Irish person’s successful? The media starts calling them British

Ireland's Shane Lowry poses with the Claret Jug, the trophy for the Champion golfer of the year after winning the British Open golf Championships at Royal Portrush golf club in Northern Ireland on July 21, 2019. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

This week Shane Lowry did something he may well have never expected – a career-defining moment that ensures, however else his career pans out, he will always have this one achievement on which to look back fondly.

I speak not of his impressive victory at the British Open, although he probably enjoyed that just fine – I’d have to check – but of what came with it. The soul-vaulting honour afforded to any Irish person attempting something above their humble station: being referred to as “British” the second he achieved it.