Shane Lowry knows what it’s like to get caught out but he admits he’ll be even more conscious of on-course microphones after Justin Thomas got pinged big-time.

Thomas has reported coped a hefty PGA Tour fine and has been stripped by American clothing giant Ralph Loren after a TV microphone picked-up a homophobic slur a fortnight ago in Hawaii.

Lowry is returning to competition for the first time in two months since finishing mid-field in November’s RSM Classic and found himself somewhat drawn into the Thomas controversy ahead of this week’s $US 8m Rolex Series Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

And the proud Irish golfer, who always wears his heart on his sleeve, recalled the time he got caught out in calling himself a ‘****ing idiot’ after sending a tee-shot in the drink at the 2016 Honda Classic.

Though Lowry’s punishment was nothing compared to that dished out to American golden boy, Thomas.

Shane Lowry heading into a new season of golf a little more wary of on-course microphone’s following the Justin Thomas furore.

“I got caught out before. I got penalised for it, but it’s tricky,” said Lowry.

“We’re out there, it’s your livelihood. You’re out there under high-pressure situations. The way I am, I wear my heart on my sleeve. I give my best every day. Sometimes I can get a bit hot under the collar. You need to be careful what you do say and you need to watch what you’re saying because people are watching at home.

“The microphones do get very close at times, especially when you’re under a high-pressure situation. I wasn’t expecting that question,

“I don’t really know how to answer it. I’m not condoning what anyone says, I’m not saying we should be allowed to say what we want, but if people keep getting caught out and people don’t like what they’re hearing, maybe it’s time to keep them a bit further from us.

“I’d like to add I’m not condoning what anyone says. It’s just a tricky situation. People at home – Phil Mickelson and Bones are famous for their conversations, there’s one from The Open of myself and Bo and it’s great in those situations that people really get to interact and see how we go about our business.

“But, in another situation, when people hit bad shots, they’re going to let out anger and you have to weigh up the options and see what’s the best.”

Lowry tees-up in the UAE capital with very fond memories of his wire-to-wire success in 2019, a win that was the harbinger in July that year in capturing golf’s oldest major.

Not bizarrely, 18 months later and Lowry still has the Claret Jug in his possession due to last year’s 149th Open Championship being rescheduled to this July.

“I don’t think there is any weight on my shoulders to go and defend the trophy,” he said.

“I did what I did in Portrush and obviously I’m very happy about that and grateful I got to do that. It is strange that I’m still the Open Champion, it’s been a good year and a half now or more. Hopefully we’ll get to Royal St George’s this year, hopefully there’ll be crowds and hopefully I put in a good performance.

“Whether I’m defending champion going to defend my title or not, it doesn’t matter any week, you just want to go out and perform your best and you’re hoping that will be good enough towards the end of the week and if it is then that’s great.”

And in a change of New Year preparations, Lowry took himself back to Florida to work on his game instead of heading straight from winter-locked Ireland to the UAE.

Lowry and the family returned to rented premises in the West Palm Beach area and close to the Bears Club where he’s a member.

“It worked out well being a member at the Bears Club, which is obviously one of the best practice facilities you can get, and Neil (Manchip) came over and spent a full week with me so we got some good work done . . . I feel like my game is good,” said Lowry.

“I’ve been playing nicely in practice but we all know sometimes that doesn’t always transform into good form on the course, so we’ll just wait and see.

“My motivation never changes. Anybody who knows me knows I’m one of the most competitive people you will come across. Even playing nine holes with Pádraig (in practice) and I’m trying my best to shoot the best score I can to win that.

“The next big tournament I would like to win would be this one. Every tournament I play I’m trying to win. You don’t win them all. You just have to take your chance when you get it.

“So, I’m ready to hit the ground running this year and hopefully I can get off to a good start this week.”