The anxious, nail-biting wait is over with confirmation Shane Lowry is heading to next week’s Masters.
A week ago, Lowry was in Austin, Texas ranked No. 48th in the world and needing to be inside the top-50 as at the close of all competition today (Sunday, March 31st) to be assured of receiving an invitation to tee-up at Augusta National.
The Irishman lost his opening match in the WGC – Dell Technologies Match-Play but then breathed life into staying inside the cut with a brilliant half after reigning Masters champion, Patrick Reed.
Shane Lowry on route to a 75 in his maiden Masters appearance in 2015.
Lowry then defeated Andrew Putman 3 & 2 to boost his Augusta goal but needed to be assured of Francesco Molinari defeating American Kevin Na in their quarter-final match in Austin.
Molinari crushed Na 6 & 5.
Earlier today (Sunday), Ian Barker at the World Rankings confirmed the following: “Shane Lowry is now provisionally 49th also guaranteed a place in the Top 50 following Kevin Na’s elimination in the quarter final”.
For Lowry who turns 32 on Tuesday, it was be a fourth trip down Magnolia Lane and a first since 2017.
He made his debut in 2015 in missing the cut, finished T37th and sat-out all four rounds in 2017.
“I’m excited to be going to Augusta National and if you are a professional golfer, who wouldn’t be,” Lowry remarked four years ago in learning he would be heading for a first Masters.
“I will have travelled many, many thousands of miles just to play my first Masters and I want to be going there for many more years to come, and if all goes well, hopefully I will be playing till I’m a part of those playing the ceremonial tee shots”.
Lowry now joins fellow Irishman Rory McIlroy in the field for the new season’s much-anticipated Masters and with the likelihood of a fourth should either Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell or Seamus Power capture this week’s Valero Texas Open.
The San Antonio is a ‘Last Chance Saloon’ for any player not yet into the Masters.
