A week after playing a practice round last week with good friend Shane Lowry and top Scot Marc Warren is warming at thoughts of lifting the Rodman Wanamaker Trophy.
Lowry defied odds last week of 125/1 at the start of the week to capture the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio.
And Warren wasted little time sending off a congratulatory text to the bearded Dubliner.
However it’s not the first occasion this season Warren and Lowry have been in each other’s company heading into a U.S. event.
Marc Warren (right front of group) starting out on a practice round last week in Akroln, Ohio with Harrington and Lowry.
The pair went out together for a practice round ahead of the Valero Texas Open but with Warren falling short in the event proper of ending top-15 in San Antonio to earn a Masters invitation.
“Shane and I have become pretty good friends and it was great to see him win last week in Akron,” said Warren.
“He and I, along with Padraig Harrington, played nine holes of Firestone on Wednesday afternoon so it just shows you what you can accomplish in this game.
“And it does seem to make the task a lot easier when you see those players, like Shane, who are some of your best friends on Tour managing to walk off four days later with the trophy.”
Marc WARREN (SCO) tees off the 3rd tee during a practice Day in the 97th US PGA Championship 2015 held at Whistling Straits, Mosel, Kohler, Wisconsin, United States of America. 11/08/2015.
Picture Eoin Clarke, www.golffile.ie
It’s been 51 weeks since Warren last tasted success in capturing the Made in Denmark title he’ll defend next week in Farso.
But then Warren has not been idle and in the intervening period has also taken over from Stephan Gallacher as the Home of Golf’s top world ranked player.
In fact, Warren is currently ranked 51st in the world, twenty places clear of Gallacher while Richie Ramsay is 73rd and Russell Knox at 78th and Martin Laird a distant 158th.
And Warren admits it’s not just about being ‘Top Scot’ but raising the Saltire to the lofty heights of October 1996 when Colin Montgomerie got as high as World No. 2.
Warren said: “I am in a good position at the moment and it’s been a steady progression, and I don’t feel it’s out of the ordinary to be playing in events like last week in Ohio and standing here at Whistling Straits.
Marc WARREN (SCO) signs autographs at the 3rd tee during Tuesday’s Practice Day of the 97th US PGA Championship 2015 held at Whistling Straits, Mosel, Kohler, Wisconsin, United States of America. 11/08/2015.
Picture Eoin Clarke, www.golffile.ie
“It’s all about a progression in my game and a great example was my Firestone first round last week when I managed to get it around playing a very tough golf course for a first time in competition and shooting level par but then by not playing my best golf.
“That’s something that’s never happened before in my career and it’s a where I am at present is a combination of a lot of things including showing a lot of patience.
“As well, for a first time this year I have been able to virtually pick where I want to play and that’s something I haven’t been able to do before including a good few events here in the States.
“So it’s not only an honour but a good feeling knowing I am now the top world-ranked Scottish-born golfer, and I guess if I want to become one of the top-ranked players in the world it goes hand-in-hand I should be the leading Scot.
“But then I don’t want to be just the top-ranked Scot because I’ve set my goals higher than that.
“However in saying that I also want to drag another handful of fellow Scots along with the climb higher up the World Rankings.”
Montgomerie leads out the seven-man Scottish contingent at 1.05pm (UK) time in the 97th PGA Championship.
