I’ll be more conservative next time, says Lowry

Open champion Shane Lowry believes he needs to take a more disciplined approach to Augusta National to have a chance to win the Masters.

Lowry's tie for 21st on Sunday was his best finish in six starts in the year's first major, but the 34-year-old Irishman was disappointed to follow an impressive 71 in the toughest conditions of the week with rounds of 73, 72 and 72.

"When you get it on a day like today (Sunday), you just really need to be ultra-conservative and you will get your chances," said Lowry, who was two under after eight holes before three-putting the ninth and finding water off the tee on the 12th.

"The likes of 12 for me, I really, really just should have got it in my head to hit it left of the hole over that bunker. Jack (Nicklaus) always says (play) over that bunker, no matter where the flag is. "But the way golf is played now I have a hard time aiming away from flags sometimes. That's why I think I haven't really done too well around here because I struggle to be conservative.

"I struggle to aim away from flags. I just need to be a little more disciplined when I come back next year.

"I bogeyed 11 on Friday, I was three over for the tournament and I sort of resigned myself to the fact I was never going to win a green jacket. Then I played lovely the last few holes and then played nicely on Saturday and you start to build your hopes up again. So who knows?

"I truly hope I get the chance someday. I just really want the chance to do it around Amen Corner. I'd love to be in those last few groups out there."