What's in the Bag - Shane Lowry

Shane Lowrybecame only the second player to win on The European Tour both as an amateur and a professional with his one shot victory at the Portugal Masters last week and we took a look inside his bag to check out the tools that helped the Irishman triumph in Vilamoura.

Lowry, from Clara in County Offaly, became only the third amateur to win a European Tour title when he captured the Irish Open in 2009 after a play-off with Englishman Robert Rock but, backed by a vocal Irish contingent in the crowd at Oceânico Victoria on Sunday, the 25 year old came from four shots back to claim a narrow victory over Ross Fisher, who three-putted the last to miss out on a play-off.

While the highlight of Lowry’s final round was undoubtedly a holed seven iron from 138 yards for eagle at the 11th – a strike that propelled Lowry into a share of the lead – his play across the board and in a difficult, windy setting, was exemplary.

“It was very tough conditions and I’m very proud of the way I handled myself on the back nine,” said a thrilled Lowry shortly afterwards. “I was very nervous out there and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t but I just trusted myself and trusted my game was good enough to be a winner and thankfully it was.”

Lowry also reserved special praise for the support he received across the week and revealed an affection for the Algarve coast rooted in his days as an amateur.

“It did sound like I was at home [in Ireland] at times, it was amazing,” he continued. “I hit my second shot at 15 virtually stone-dead and the roar I got I just couldn’t believe it. It’s great and I really enjoy it.

“I’ve been here a good few times – both on holiday and playing –I’ve won here as an amateur and I love the place. It’s a great place to come and a great place to play golf.”

Lowry’s fine play in Vilamoura was reflected positively in theGenworth Statistics, in which he ranked inside the top 15 in all categories recorded.

He was rarely in trouble off the tee thanks to a 66.1 per cent Driving Accuracy average across the week – a figure that saw him place 13th in that category – while he also was impressive in his length, too, averaging 15th in the statistics with 302.3 yards.

Lowry gave himself plenty of chances for birdies, meanwhile, by finding 75 per cent of Greens in Regulation (ranking 13th), but it was his play on the greens that went the furthest in helping him secure a second European  Tour title.

The Irishman ranked third in Putts per Round with 28.3 and first in Putts per GIR with 1.65, so Lowry has his putter to thank for the significant hand it played in the securing of both the Portugal Masters and the well-deserved €375,000 first prize that came with it.

Here is what he had in his bag: