Shane Lowry reckons he could become only the third player in history to win the Masters on debut.
It’s now less than two months before Lowry makes his first appearance at Augusta National on April 9th, and a week after the Carton House attached pro turns 28.
Lowry will be joining the Ulster trio of Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke in a four-pronged Irish assault on the year’s first Major.
McIlroy will be striving hard to become not only the first Irish-born winner of the Masters but join just four other golfers to have won four Majors.
Technically, there’s only been three golfers to have won the Masters on debut with Horton Smith being the inaugural champion in 1934, the great Gene Sarazen a year later and playing the ‘shot that was heard around the world’, while Fuzzy Zoeller won in 1979, and on his first appearance.
Shane Lowry reckons he can win the Masters on debut. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
“I can’t see why a rookie can win at the Masters as it’s only another golf tournament, and that’s how I will be treating it,” said Lowry.
“I know there’s many already predicting Rory can win but I’m also going to Augusta to win.
“But then I haven’t given too much thought to the Masters as I’ve got two more events in the States before heading to Augusta, and I just want to do well in them.”
Lowry’s revealed also he’s rented a seven bedroom house in Augusta for himself and eight other family members that also includes his coach, caddy and friends who will travel to Augusta.
The only person not going to the Masters will be his mother.
Lowry has two week’s off before he makes another career debut and that is in the 5th March starting WGC – Cadillac Championship at Doral in suburban Miami.
It is the first big world golf showdown of the new season and with Lowry looking to continue improving his current World No. 40 ranking.
“It’s good to be No. 40 in the world as I have been spending the last couple of years trying to get myself inside the top-50,” he said.
“So while I am happy with where I am now on the rankings I also want climb higher, and also get a win under my belt.
“I will be looking to break into the top-30 and then maybe top-20 next year, so that’s a big goal and you can’t be happy with just what you’re doing as I am always trying to get better.
“But compared to a few years back when I was outside the top-100, my whole game has since improved and while I’ve always had a good short game, mentally I have matured enormously.
“So all round my game has improved and along with the mental side that’s why I feel as though I belong among the top-50 in the world.”
