Shane Lowry has designs on major glory

Shane Lowry has admitted that his fantastic performance in the Open Championship – particularly his final round – has given him confidence that a major is in his future.

The Irishman carded a flawless six-under-par 65 to finish tied ninth on ten-under-par at Royal Liverpool. It could have been much better, too, had he not coughed up five shots in three holes on his way to a three-over 75 in round two.

Even so, the 27-year-old – who won the Irish Open as an amateur in 2009 – insists that he is taking nothing but positives away from his week on the Wirral.

“To shoot 65 in the final round of a major, especially when you’re looking at the top of the leaderboard, makes me feel good about myself,” said Lowry, who finished second behind Rory McIlroy at the BMW PGA Championship in May. “I know now that if I have a chance down the line that is there and I can play the golf. I’m pretty pleased with myself.

“If I give myself the chance to do it, I now know I can do it on Sunday.” – Shane Lowry

He added: “I felt so in control and I don’t know why because if you talked to my coach, Neil Manchip, I was fuming leaving the range this morning. I didn’t hit a good shot. My last shot was a low snap hook with my driver. I just decided I was going to play and see what happens. Thankfully, I hit it a little straighter than I did on the range and I managed to hole a few putts.”

Asked if he sees himself winning an Open Championship one day, Lowry was clear.

“I’m very comfortable in these surroundings,” he said. “I love links golf and I think I’m good in bad conditions. I’m hopefully going to play in another 15 or 20 Opens in my career. I think I could do it down the line. If I give myself the chance to do it, I now know I can do it on Sunday.”

Shane Lowry :: An Open champion in the making?

Do you believe that Shane Lowry can win an Open Championship in the future? Leave your thoughts in our ‘Comments’ section below.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor