SHANE’S IN DREAMLAND

Tommy Fleetwood, below, and Francesco Molinari’s love-in with the Ryder Cup in Paris last year.

“I lay in bed this morning and I had the Claret Jug there. It was an incredible feeling,” said Lowry, 32.

“I had it on the bedside locker beside me. It’s outrageous. It’s a dream come true. It’s taken a lot more than luck to get me here, but I feel very lucky that it’s happened.”

Lowry’s proud grandmother revealed she sank her first brandies in almost a decade while watching him win.

“I drank two glasses, it’s nearly killing me,” said Emily Scanlon.

The pats on the back continued to roll in for the Portrush champion, with Lowry’s good friend and former world No1 Rory McIlroy among those joining in the congratulations.

“He was in touch. Anyone I’m close with in the golfing circle has been in touch,” said Lowry, a Paddy Power Golf Ambassador.

“I have a couple of hundred messages on my phone but I’ve only looked at a few.”

Lowry followed in the footsteps of his fellow Irishman by winning his first Major at The Open – and immediately declared his next target was to represent Europe at Whistling Straits.

His friend, Harrington, will be captain in September 2020 on the Wisconsin links-style course on the banks of Lake Michigan.

And the three-time Major winner said: “It is likely to be windy, tough conditions. Shane is a strong player – he can handle the pressure. I hope he is leading the team out.

“His wins have always come on big occasions. He’s a big-time player. When he gets up there he has the belief and confidence. Every win has been a big win at that stage of his career. He has the ability to win under extreme pressure.”

Lowry said: “In the short term I’m going to enjoy this, but in the long term you obviously want to back up your success.

“My big goal still remains to be on the plane to Whistling Straits next year. Hopefully that involves