Shane Lowry could be in hot water after shocking comment picked up by microphone at Irish Open

Shane Lowry has come under heavy criticism after he was allegedly heard saying "they deserve to get hit" towards a group of volunteers following a wayward shot at the Irish Open.

Lowry is currently top of the leaderboard on home soil after posting a round of 65 on Saturday, a score that puts him four shots ahead of nearest challenger Jacob Skov Olesen.

It has been a golfing masterclass from the outspoken 39-year-old, although a shocking incident on the par four 18th hole at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel has somewhat put a dampener on proceedings.

READ MORE: Shane Lowry was forced to take drastic action in viral incident at Irish Open

As you can see in the footage below, Lowry hooked his tee shot left. His caddie, Dermot Byrne, proceeded to shout "Fore! Fore!" towards the group of volunteers who were standing next to the fairway.

But moments later, Lowry could 'clearly' be heard saying: "They deserve to get hit", according to Balls.Ie.

It was a comment that has since been criticised by many viewers on social media, with one fan commenting: "This is scandalous from Shane Lowry!! Should be heavily fined for this comment."

A second wrote: "He would never have said that when he was starting his career off? Paying punters cheering him on. How dare he. The fans deserve an apology. Who does he think he is?"

A third added: "An apology would definitely be in order."

Shane Lowry is "feeling good" ahead of Sunday's final round

Lowry will be hoping to secure a second Irish Open this weekend, 17 years after winning his first, when he memorably beat Robert Rock in a play-off as a 22-year-old amateur.

Speaking after saving par on the 18th, Lowry said: “I’m feeling good. I felt great out there. I really did. I felt like I was just staying in shot by shot and doing my thing.

“Obviously, it’s a big day for me tomorrow. I’m going to be leading my home tournament, and it would mean the world to knock this one off.

"So I’m just going to have to put my head down, get back to work whenever my tee-time is [2.05pm] tomorrow, and give it a run.”

He added: “I felt like I did a great job today of just staying in the moment and playing my own game. I had so much fun out there in the back nine. Crowds are incredible, and they cheered me on the whole way home. Hopefully they’ll do the same tomorrow.”