Abu Dhabi, UAE ... Shane Lowry confessed being Open Champion is making private life different for he and wife, Wendy.
Not for a moment is there anything wrong with their long-time relationship while matters on the homefront for the duo and daughter, Iris could not be rosier.
Though on the eve of his defence of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in the UAE capital, Lowry says it’s the ‘little things’ that makes life as the Open Champion ‘different’
“Becoming the Major Champion was quite overwhelming and while it’s had a positive impact on my life and my career, it’s the little things that have changed,” he said.
“Like when I am home as I love going into town, strolling around and having a coffee. When I do that now I notice everyone looking at me.
“Wendy feels it too. When she leaves the house, she feels like everyone is staring.
“That won’t seem like a problem to most people, but it is different. Not more difficult, but different.
“Don’t get me wrong. I love being the Open champion. If you don’t love that, why are you playing the game.”
Lowry admits also heading into an 11th full season in the pro ranks that it took time to adjust also inside the ropes in becoming a Major Champion.
That was no more evident he said in striving to end the year as European No. 1.
Lowry went to the front of the Race to Dubai money list in brilliantly capturing golf’s oldest major at Royal Portrush but lost the leading initiative when Austrian Bernd Wiesberger won the Italian Open and with Wiesberger eventually being pipped in the last event by double Irish Open winning Jon Rahm of Spain.
“It’s taken quite a while to adjust and looking back, I probably did put too much pressure on myself at the end of last year to play well,” said Lowry.
“I didn’t have many great weeks. I did have a couple of top-15s where I was close to playing well.
“The great thing is that over the winter break I’ve had lot of chats with my team and feel like i am I a good mental space now. I’m more equipped to deal with it all.
“I didn’t feel any different and I still don’t feel different heading into this new season.
“The only difference was me putting too much pressure on myself. That was always going to happen though.”
Though there’s also no chance of Lowry going unnoticed also in Abu Dhabi as you’d have to be blind not to know he is this week’s defending Abu Dhabi HSBC Champion.
There are photographs splashed everywhere about the clubhouse and spectator areas featuring photographs of Lowry with the gleaming falcon trophy.
And it’s a first occasion since 2016 Lowry gets to defend a tournament after capturing the 2015 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational.
“It’s pretty cool seeing your photograph all about the clubhouse but then I don’t really stand to admire too much,” he said.
“I walk past it, like it is what it is. I haven’t defended a tournament for quite a while, so it’s nice to come back to somewhere you’ve done well.
“It is nice to be getting the special treatment coming back as defending champion, as well. It makes it a little bit more special.
“Look, I’m obviously hopeful that I’m going to have a decent week here this week and give myself a chance again. I think when you win tournaments, it is very important to go back and defend them and be here and really soak that in, because who knows when you’re going to win over your career.
“So, it’s nice to be back but then I didn’t request that my mug be put everywhere around the course, just to let you know that (smiling).”
And Lowry is sure to have his ‘mug’ on TV at least for the opening two rounds being grouped with World No. 1 Brooks Koepka and former European No. 1 Tommy Fleetwood.
IRISH TEE TIMES (Irish Time)
Shane Lowry – 3.40am
Padraig Harrington – 4am
END
