Masters rookie Shane Lowry likens the awe of what he expects to experience in this week’s maiden Masters appearance to the first time he walked into Croke Park, Dublin.

Lowry was eight years old when his grandparents and some other 65,000 fans were on hand to watch the 1995 all-Ireland Hurling Final.

Unfortunately Lowry’s beloved Offlay team were beaten 1-13 to 2-8 by Clare, and with Clare capturing the title for a first occasion since 1914.

In less than a week Lowry expects to experience a golfing equivalent and ‘The Cathedral in the Pines’ as Augusta National is so affectionately known.

Not only will it be a first Masters for Lowry but it will be an historic occasion for

Irish golf with five Irish-born players, headed by World No. 1 Rory McIlroy teeing-up in the new season’s traditional first Major.

“It is going to be very special and if I was to draw on any comparison perhaps it was the first time I ever felt in awe at any sporting occasion and that was in ’95 when Offlay were playing the All-Ireland final at Croke Park, and this was back to a time when Offlay were a very good team,” he said.

“So I’m very excited to get there and to experience my first Masters as it will be the culmination of a dream for me having played the three other Majors and each of the WGC events.

“The Masters and Augusta National is like the last piece in my career jig-saw.”

Lowry recalled competing in the 2010 Open Championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews as the biggest ‘high’ of his near six-year pro golfing career.

It was Lowry’s first Major Championship in finishing T37th behind South African Louis Oosthuizen.

“The 2010 Open at St. Andrews was the best tournament I have ever played in as I never ever had as good a week in a Major Championship as I did that week five years ago,” said Lowry.

“I had mentioned that to Padraig (Harrington) a few weeks ago what a great time I had that week competing at the Home of Golf.

“But then he said to me ‘your opinion will change after you have been to the Masters and I will guarantee you that.

“So I am very excited to be playing my first Masters and more excited just to get there now.

“It’s been a long wait for my first Masters appearance and when you consider I won the Irish Open back in 2009 so that’s nearly six years ago.

“But then it was till late 2012 when I won in Portugal, and when I moved up the World Rankings, we have been talking about playing the Masters and here is it just a matter of days away.”

And when quizzed if he felt for McIlroy now four years ago when McIlroy forfeited a four stroke third round lead in shooting a last day 80 and settle for what was a demoralizing share of 15th place.

“Myself and Neil Manchip my coach were going to play Royal County Down the next day after that happened and I was stopped for speeding on route to Royal County Down,” he said breaking out in a smile.

“The policeman pulled me over and he said: ‘Oh, Shane how you going’.

“So he’s recognized me and here we were on the side of the main road north speaking for about 20 minutes with what happened to Rory the day earlier.

“I remember feeling very, very sorry for Rory but then I knew what was definitely was lying ahead of him in his career, so while it may have felt like the end of the world for him I didn’t really see it that way.

“We’ve all had bad days on the golf course but then the way Rory bounced back so quickly to win the next Major, the U.S. Open, by eight shots just showed what a true champion he is.”

Lowry wouldn’t admit whether he received a fine or a caution but he feels comfortable now taking to one of golf’s four biggest stages given his superb top-10 finish behind McIlroy at last year’s Open Championship.

“I will be comfortable, as I showed last year at Royal Liverpool, competing at the game’s highest level,” insists Lowry.

“It is the only way you are going to improve in this game and that is testing yourself in the Majors, and on tough golf courses and week-in and week-out.

“So at this stage of my career there could be no better stage for me than Augusta National.”

LOWRY ON MCILROY GOING FOR GRAND SLAM

“I would rather not be in McIlroy’s shoes heading to the Masters given the already overwhelming media coverage as the now four-time Major winning McIlroy looks to become only the sixth player in the history of the game to win all four Majors,” said Lowry.

“I was not even going to look for a practice round with Rory because I know he will be up to his eyes what with the expectations surrounding him.

“I know he’s hoping Tiger (Woods) is going to play so that will take a bit of the heat off Tiger if he decides to play.”

LOWRY ON CREATING IRISH GOLF HISTORY AT AUGUSTA

“I find myself very fortunate to be playing golf in an era when Irish golf is so strong and with the likes of Rory, Padraig, Graeme and Darren having won Majors,” he said.

“I was used to winning growing up and used to also seeing my friends winning along with being used to winning as a member of a team.

“But at the end of the day it is the Masters. It is a tournament I have waited a while to finally play and while I maybe a Masters rookie that I am, I will not feel a rookie out on the golf course.”

SHANE LOWRY FACT FILE –

Born – 2nd April, 1987 Mulligar.

Interests – Gaelic football, hurling, rugby

Turned pro – May 2009 (plus 5)

Joined Tour – Winning 2009 Irish Open, Baltray.

Qualified for Masters – Top-50 on World Rankings as at 31/12/14

Pro career wins – 1 (2012 Portugal Masters)

Amateur record – 2007 Irish Amateur Close championship, 2008 Sotogrande Nations Cup, 2009 Irish Open.

Best finish in a Major – T9th 2014 Open Championship

Highest prize cheque – Euro 527,770 (2nd 2014 BMW PGA Championship)

Best 2015 result – T11th Nedbank Challenge (European Tour); T7th Farmers Insurance Open (PGA Tour)

Lowest round 2015 – 3 x 67 (Farmers Insurance Open 2nd round; AT & T National Pebble Beach Pro-Am 2nd and 3rd rounds)