Lowry feels like he’s in the groove
SHANE Lowry knows he can deliver if his back is to the white cliffs of Portrush come Friday evening and he is battling for a foothold in the Open.
Already this year, he did it at Bethpage in the US PGA and again at Pebble Beach at the US Open when he was hurtling towards the abyss of a missed cut, only to claw back from the edge.
And should a point of crisis arrive this week for the world number 33, he can draw on those experiences, execute the right shot, take a breath, and move on.
‘I hit a lovely seven-iron 200 yards in to 17 at Bethpage and then the eighth and ninth at Pebble (Beach), I had to play them very well to make two pars, and I did.
‘Where I am at now, and if I get myself in that situation this week, I feel I can man up and do it,’ he said.
At the Open, it’s high time Lowry lit up the links and was
part of the weekend jamboree.
His record in the past four Opens has ended in a slamdunk of the car boot of a Friday. He doesn’t admit as much, but it’s gnawing at him a little.
‘I know my Open record is not very good. This week, I feel mentally and with my game that it’s way better than it has been at any time going into a major.
‘I’m in a much better place than I have been for a while. I think the only time I’ve been playing well going into an Open in the last few years was after Oakmont (at Troon in 2016) and I was probably still hurting a little bit from Oakmont.’
‘Right now, I like where my game is at and feel I can compete with the best.’
Lowry scooted around for nine holes on Monday evening and then had 18 yesterday with amateur champion James Sugrue and Spain’s Adrian Otaegui.
Along the way, the 2008 North of Ireland winner noted where to go, and where not to go should the winds, as expected, kick up tomorrow.
Like the deep hollow left of the green on the new eighth hole. ‘I had a look down there and said “No, thanks” and then again left of fourteen. There’s a bunker down there and if you find yourself in there, you’re doing well to make five.
‘I don’t think it’ll be a birdiefest out there at all, they can tuck a few pins away and all of a sudden it’ll be very tricky.’
Lowry’s profile as world number 33 and one of the ‘home’ hopes, is reflected in a plum draw alongside Phil Mickelson and Branden Grace tomorrow morning.
Mickelson was Open champion in 2013 while Grace holds the Open record low of 62, carded at Birkdale in 2017.
‘It’s good to be playing with someone like Phil and Branden. Phil is one of the greatest of all time. I’ve played with him before twice and he’s really nice to play with.’
With so many run-off areas, notably on the tougher holes, Lowry’s chipping expertise will be vital. What’s just as important is a feel on the greens, which was missing at Lahinch.
‘I struggled on Friday at Lahinch and I just found something on Sunday morning on the putting green. I got a good feeling and putted nicely. I worked a little on that last week and it felt alright out there today.’
‘If I can hole a few putts, I will be there or thereabouts come Sunday.’
Lowry is braced for an electric feel around the crumpled links. ‘It’s small piece of land, and with 44,000 people, the atmosphere will be incredibly exciting. It’s where you want to be.’