A week after Shane Lowry ended a five-year absence to win in Abu Dhabi and he’s looking to now achieve the same in this week’s 30th anniversary Dubai Desert Classic.
Lowry had not teed-up in Abu Dhabi since 2014 and returned to brilliantly manage to hang on to become the first Irishman to win in the UAE capital.
The Offlay golfer now tees-up in nearby Dubai also not having competed on the Emirates course in five years.
“I haven’t played here in Dubai since 2014, and I’m actually looking forward to getting out and playing,” said Lowry.
“From what I can remember, it suits a left-to-right shot, which is what I have. If I keep playing with a bit of confidence, see what happens.
Shane Lowry ended a five-year absence to win in Abu Dhabi and now he looks to do the same in Dubai. (Photo – European Tour)
“And the thing is that I have always liked Dubai and I have competed in the DP World out at Jumeirah Estates and played really well including going so close with a second and my final round 63 back in ’17.
“Also, and I mentioned last week, I was out here in Dubai on 3rd of January with myself and Paul Dunne renting a house, and my wife and baby came out as well and we did a lot of practice, and had some good games and did a lot of practise together.
“It was nice to come out here and like I said, the weather is perfect, getting ready for a season and great time, a lovely house out on the Palm. It’s nice out there. We’re eating, just chilling and enjoying the day, getting to work. It’s been lovely and I can see us definitely doing it again in the future”.
Though it’s been a few whirlwind days for the Lowry’s since his fourth Tour win last Saturday, and an effort lifted him to World No. 41 and the Offlay golfer’s highest ranking in just over two years.
“It has been bit of a whirlwind couple of days but then I I’m obviously very happy to have won again.
“I really enjoyed the last couple days and I’m going to try and enjoy this week as much as I can.
“It’s been a while since I’ve won, so it’s kind of — yeah, waking up the last couple of mornings, definitely the morning after you wake up — the morning after you won when you wake up is pretty nice in that feeling.
“It’s just something that you would like to just hold and keep with you forever. It’s been great.”
And if Lowry should win in Dubai it would be a fourth Irish victory after Eamonn Darcy won in 1990 and with Rory McIlroy lifting the gleaming Arabian coffee-pot trophy in 2009 and 2015.
IRISH TEE TIMES (Irish Time)
Shane Lowry – 4.10am
Paul Dunne – 8.10am
