Shane Lowry believes having ‘an ear’ to some of Ireland’s leading sports people can only prove beneficial to his career.
Lowry was spotted at Tuesday night’s now annual ‘Beach Party’ on the sands at the stunning Atlantis Hotel complex chatting with Formula One legend Eddie Jordan, and he revealed on the eve of today’s (THUR) DP World Tour Championship he was in recent conversation with footballing legends Robbie Keane and Martin O’Neill.
Lowry tees-up in the season finale event at the Jumeriah Estates course lying fourth on the Race to Dubai money list and with two scenarios if he’s to win the Race to Dubai.
If Lowry were to win the DP World Tour Championship he would need Rory McIlroy to be tied second and also England’s Danny Willett, who is currently second on the money list behind McIlroy, to be also in a two-way tie for second.
Shane Lowry says speaking with some of Ireland’s leading sports stars is helping his game. Picture: Golffile | Fran Caffrey
All photo usage must carry mandatory copyright credit (© Golffile | Fran Caffrey)
As well, if Lowry were to finish alone in second then McIlroy would have to finish at worst in eighth place , Willett also in eighth along with not seeing either Louis Oosthuizen, currently lying 5th, and Branden Grace, at present in sixth place, claim victory.
“I know what I need to do this week and that is to go out and win the tournament,” said Lowry.
“Hopefully, I can make it as exciting as I can on Sunday.”
And if Lowry were to get himself in contention for a second victory this season then he believes he can draw on tit bits of advice from the likes of Jordan, Keane and O’Neill.
“I’ve always said that everything in life, and including golf, is part of a learning curve and sub-consciously I have learnt and picked up plenty of advice from chatting with leading sports people,” said Lowry.
“I’ve now come to know a lot of Ireland’s leading sports people and I’ve spent a lot of time in their company.
“I have a good friend who is very friendly with Martin O’Neill and he arranged for us to have coffee with Martin one evening.
“Then chatting to Eddie on Tuesday night at the beach party was great as he’s one of the most successful Irish-born sport stars. My caddy, Dermot stays with him each year when we play at Wentworth, and Eddies a very funny character.
Shane Lowry (IRL) on the 18th tee during the preview for the DP World Tour Championship at the Earth course, Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, UAE, 18/11/2015.
Picture: Golffile | Thos Caffrey
All photo usage must carry mandatory copyright credit (© Golffile | Thos Caffrey)
“But it’s hard to explain what that advice is but then if you asked me what I’ve learnt these last six-and-a-half years out on the Tour I would say ‘I have no idea’.
“Then I’ve clearly learnt something and it’s nice for them to give me their mobile numbers with the remark that anytime I want to call them, then feel free to do so.”
While Lowry is set to end the European Tour on a high note he admitted that if he were not to win the Race to Dubai, he will walk away thrilled with his efforts in 2016 and capped, of course, with his WGC – Bridgestone triumph.
“If when I sit back next week knowing I did not win the Race to Dubai, I don’t think I will be that disappointed,” he said.
“Of course, many people have said to me already I’ve had a great season but then that’s not the way I think, and I will be teeing up this week looking to win the DP World so as I also will win the Race to Dubai.
“That’s my competitive natures as I want to win each and every week.
“So if I don’t win the Race to Dubai I will be a little disappointed but then in looking back on my season in a week’s time I do have to be happy with my year having won a WGC and looking to end 2015 inside the top-30 on the World Rankings.”
