Seven years to the day since he won the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open as a fresh-faced amateur, Shane Lowry has spoken of his desire to repeat that life-changing victory.
On a wet and wild day at Baltray on May 17, 2009, Lowry entered the nation’s affections with a remarkable display which was surpassed only by the scenes of unbridled joy which followed.
Lowry remains the last amateur to win on The European Tour, and even though he has claimed two more victories since then – most notably at last year’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational – he still cites his breakthrough win as the highlight of his career so far.
Lowry said: “To win your home tournament as an amateur – I don’t think many people will do that in the game. So it’s nice to say I’ve done it. Seven years is a long time, but I don’t know where those seven years have gone. I feel like I’ve come a long way as a player and as a person in that time.
“But because I’ve won it once, doesn’t mean I’m happy to sit back and relax this week. Far from it – I’d love to win it as a pro some day, as well.” Shane Lowry
Lowry arrives on home soil buoyed by an encouraging display in Florida last week, although the genial Irishman’s joy was tempered by the fact that he went into the weekend in second place behind World Number One and the eventual winner, Jason Day.
A round of 78 on Saturday put paid to his hopes of victory, but Lowry was keen to take the positives from the experience.
He said: “I played 68 holes really well, but put myself out of the tournament in the first four holes on Saturday. When you’re playing with the World Number One, and trying to chase him down, then it’s obviously important to get off to a good start – and I didn’t manage that.
“But it was still a good week and a good finish, and gives me confidence for this week. The next time I'm out with Jason Day on a Saturday or the World Number, whoever that is, things will probably be a little bit different. I’m not saying I let the nerves get to me or let it get the better of me, I just got off to a bad start. I played great after that, so I’m not too disappointed.”
A decade after he played his part in Europe’s Ryder victory at The K Club, Lowry’s fellow Irishman Padraig Harrington is relishing the prospect of tackling the Palmer Course again.
Despite advances in modern technology, with players now hitting the ball further than ever, Harrington believes Arnold Palmer’s creation will still challenge the world’s best.
He said: “I don't know what technology has done to the game now, so it will be interesting to see this week how tough the golf course plays. Certainly there are a few tee shots out there that may not give me sleepless nights, but I’ll still be happy to get through them. There’s lots of difficulty on the golf course, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what it’s like and seeing how things have evolved.”
