Augusta, GA …
Shane Lowry says he’s proudly taking some of the credit for World No. 1 Dustin Johnson being the red-hot favourite this week to be fitting with a Masters green jacket.
Lowry is making his third appearance in the years traditional first Major of the new season after having missed the cut on his Augusta National debut in 2015 and finishing just inside the top 40 a year ago.
The Clara golfer was among a good few to have qualified for this year’s Masters in more than just one entry category.
Just before the New Year Lowry received a formal invitation from Augusta Chairman, Billy Payne having qualified by ending 2O16 inside the world‘s top 5o and also as a result of his superb share of second behind Dustin Johnson in last year‘s US Open.
But after failing to get even close to making the final 16 in last fortnights WGC – Dell Match-Play Championship Lowry finds himself teeing-up this week as the World No. 63.
Shane Lowry at the 2016 US Open and now taking some credit for Dustin Johnson’s rise to being red-hot favourite to be fitted with a green jacket.
The last time Lowry was ranked was after finishing T28th in the 2O14 KLM Open and the Irishman needs a turnaround in form starting this week if he is to be exempt into many more Masters to come.
But none of that affected Lowry as he joined double Major winning Martin Kaymer and Swede Alex Noren for a first official practice round yesterday.
The only concern the trio faced walked the cathedral like setting was being forced from the course just before 12 noon local time having managed just 15 holes when an impending storm closed the course while the gates were then closed for the day, just prior to 3m local time when a tornado warning was advised.
“We were aware of the forecast in playing the ninth and Alex (Noren) and Martin (Kaymer) and I said we may as well try and to play as many as we can,” said Lowry.
“I kind of knew we weren’t going to get 18 so it was nice to get 15 holes in.
“So that’s me done for the day as I am going to chill out for the afternoon”.
Indeed, Lowry was later spotted at the opposite end of Washington Road visiting the local Starbucks coffee house.
In his two prior Masters showings Lowry shot score of 75 and 72 in 2O15 to miss the cut by just a stroke while a year ago he played all four days with rounds of 76, 73, 78 and 75 to share 39th spot with current red-hot Justin Thomas.
Shane Lowry watches as Martin Kaymer of Germany plays from the fairway of No. 1 during Monday’s first official practice round at the 2017 Masters. (Photo – Master.com).
Of course, the highlight of Lowry’s showing a year ago was his ace on the final day at the par three, 16th.
Lowry was rewarded with a special Masters Crystal Bowl that now takes pride of place in his home.
“I was talking with Dermo about it today that there’s nothing new to it coming back to Augusta for a third time,” he said.
“You know where to go and where not to go. Sometimes it is better not knowing where not to go but it is there in front of you now and you just have to try to make good shots.
“Also, sometimes you might hit a good shot and get a little bit cruel, sometimes you might hit a bad shot and get a decent bounce and that’s kind of the way it is.
“It is one of those courses where you have to try and hit as many good shots as you can and see where you finish at the end of the week”.
But in saying that there’s still the adrenaline rush for Lowry and every competitor turning off Washington Road, pass the sign that says “Augusta National, Members Only” and driving down Magnolia Lane.
And a day after his 3Oth birthday Lowry celebrated packing his Mercedes courtesy car with caddy, Dermot Bray and coach, Neil Machin again for company.
“There’s still no other tournament like it,” he said.
“I got here Saturday evening and was out here playing yesterday, and no other tournament in the world you’d do that. Any day you get to play Augusta is a good day.
“I turned 30 yesterday and playing Augusta National is one of those things, if you’d told me that on my 18th birthday, it was nice being out with Neil and Dermot, any day you play Augusta is a good day.”
Also, out playing the course Monday was World No. 1 Dustin Johnson, and a favourite in many eyes to win a fourth event in succession, and if successful, a second Major and a first Masters green jacket.
And Lowry’s bizarrely taking some credit for Johnson’s dominance of late that began when Lowry went so close to denying the American glory at Oakmont.
“It was at the US Open I gave DJ the kick-start he wanted,” said Lowry.
“He is possibly the most talented golfer in the world. He’s the best at the minute. He just makes it look so easy, and he’s obviously putting well at the minute as well.
“What he’s doing, he is dominating the game and he has done for the last few months.
“The top players have all had spells of that. When Spieth was dominating, everyone was like, “Oh there’s no one will ever be as good”. When Rory was dominating, everyone was, “Oh, Rory is going to be Tiger for the next ten years. Jason Day the same.
“The standard is really good. Dustin’s having his time now, I suppose. It’s up to him whether he keeps it going or not. Like I said earlier, no matter what you do, sometimes golf’s a funny game. It might be all going for you one day and not the next.
“So, DJs got a great run going at the moment. If you put Dustin and Rory and Jason Day and Spieth together, if they all have their A games, it’s a great match.
“It’s his time now. It might be someone else’s again.”
In contrast, Lowry’s contested just five events this year with a best finish being T14th at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
“I know I haven’t had that many good finishes, but I feel like I’m doing all right,” he said.
“I had a few close matches in the Match Play, but that’s the type of tournament it is. I got nothing out of them. I just have to keep trucking along and wait for my time to kind of come, I suppose.”
And as Lowry headed for the cover of the stately Georgian clubhouse he was asked can he become the first Irish winner at the Masters.
“No reason why not. Yeah, no reason why not,” he said.
