Shane Lowry returns to European competition insisting he could have won last week’s U.S.Open.
Lowry’s new European Tour stature has been quickly rewarded with tee times alongside Tour superstars Martin Kaymer and Henrik Stenson for the opening two rounds of the BMW International Open in Munich.
Lowry superb U.S. Open showing saw him finish the joint leading European alongside World No. 1 Rory McIlroy in sharing ninth place and also in what was Lowry’s equal highest result in a Major after having ended joint ninth behind McIlroy in last year’s Open Championship.
And while disappointed in shooting a Chambers Bay last day 71, a clearly jet-lagged Lowry will tee up in Munich sky-high in confidence.
Shane Lowry dreamed what it would be like had he won the U,S. Open. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
“Looking back on the U.S. Open I could have won and I played good enough golf to win, and what more would you want,” he said.
“Also it was a big boost in my career to be up there in contention to win a Major and I know it’s going to be put in good stead going forward to the remaining two Majors this year and then into next year and hopefully many more years to come.”
Lowry’s superb U. S. Open display saw him jump a dozen places to the new World No. 45 and now the second leading Irishman after Graeme McDowell, who missed the Chambers Bay cut, slipped four places to World No. 48.
While Lowry had enjoyed the home euphoria of a remarkable 2009 Irish Open success and then a tradesman-like victory three years later in the Portugal Masters, three years further on and Lowry admitted he felt very much at ease in the pressure-cooker situation of last Sunday’s Washington State showdown.
“Chambers Bay was different to my Irish Open and Portugal Masters victories as I was in such a good frame of mind and so focused on the tournament, and mentally I was in such a good place that I felt so good out there all week,” he insisted.
“I did feel nervous last Sunday going out but before that I don’t think I’ve ever felt so good and relaxed on a golf course.
“Like Sunday morning was so different to Baltray or Portugal as I couldn’t stop thinking about picturing myself standing on the 18th green at Chambers Bay with the U.S. Open trophy in my hands and thinking what it would do for my career and my life.
“So hopefully being in contention last week will be the start of many more opportunities like that for me in coming years.”
Joining Lowry this week in the Euro 2m event on the Munchen Golf Club course is fellow Irish Damien McGrane, Darren Clarke, Peter Lawrie, Michael Hoey and Kevin Phelan.
