A number of incidents from Shane Lowry’s Monday practice session could have misled one into believing that he was intentionally setting low expectations. His approach shot on the Par 5 13th seemed like a possible eagle putt while still in flight, but ended up spinning back off the green and into the water. His drive on the 18th veered right into the forest and his next one found the front bunker. One can only hope that this was all a strategic play by the Offalyman as a lead up to his ninth appearance in the Masters.
Lowry, being 37 years old now and the possessor of an impressive collection of trophies including a Claret Jug, a WGC trophy, and some Rolex series silverware, has evolved tremendously from his initial perception of Augusta National as “fairly intimidating”. He has successfully adapted to the challenges of the course and typically leaves the 18th with a broad grin.
“I didn’t come here just to participate,” Lowry stated emphatically.
Following his first experiences in the Masters which resulted in three missed cuts in four competitions, Lowry has been enjoying a period of success. Patience, knowledge, and maturity have all contributed significantly to his journey, which saw him finishing third in 2022 golfer and entering the final round of last year’s back nine in the top five before ultimately ending up tied for the 16th place. Scarce are the players who have made it to the top-25 in the four most recent masters. These players are Scottie Scheffler, Hideki Matsuyama, and Lowry.
Lowry limited his practice session on Monday to nine holes with Erik van Rooyen. The results of such a practice session are inconsequential; the real test comes when the scorecard is given.
With the clubhouse’s large tree in the background, and laughter occasionally spicing up his speech, Lowry stated, “We have a reasonable amount of time until Thursday. I genuinely believe that if the opportunity comes my way on Saturday or Sunday, I have the capacity to face the challenge. However, we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Lowry embarked on a pre-emptive trip to Augusta a week earlier for a two-day scouting mission before continuing his preparations in his adopted home of Florida. At The Bear Club, he became accustomed to the rapid greens that registered a 14 on the stimpmeter. He expressed that this familiarity removed any fear he might have about the putting conditions in Augusta.
Relocating to Florida was a necessary step Lowry had to take to further his professional ambitions. His decision was justified last week, when the weather conditions at ‘home’ and Florida were poles apart, providing him with a much better practice environment in the latter.
Lowry opined that relocating had been a critical move for his career. Although he was reluctant to uproot, he recognised that it was a necessary step and was grateful for his wife Wendy’s support. While they enjoyed their Floridian lifestyle, they missed their homeland of Ireland sometimes.
He observed that the weather back home was often unfavourable, making it unfeasible to prepare for significant tournaments like the Masters in Ireland. Drawing a comparison to other job sectors, he noted that there are instances when one has to leave home to seize opportunities — a step they took in 2018.
Despite not securing any additional victory since his triumph at the 2022 BMW PGA, Lowry has shown promising form in recent months, especially during the Florida Swing. He finished in the top four in the Cognizant Classic and claimed the third position in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, indicating his competitive presence in those significant tournaments.
Lowry made it clear that his current form was pleasing, although he cautioned that there is no guarantee of performing well and that it all boils down to preparation. His current game strategy seems to be faring well based on his recent results. He intends to give his all from Thursday to Sunday, hoping it will suffice.
Like everyone else, Lowry has his sights set on securing a green jacket. However, he chooses to maintain a modest outlook on his expectations. “It’s not easy to overlook the leading players worldwide. With that being said, I might be considered a contender in the subsequent category,” he states. “But, make no mistake, I’m not merely here to fill up the slots. I’m here for the competition which is the highlight of my week, and consequently my life’s motivation. These types of weeks are what I’m most enthusiastic about, and they’re the very reason I spring out of bed every morning.
Certainly, I’m thrilled to be part of this and am eagerly anticipating the trials that lie ahead. It’s a challenge not to get intimidated when you see Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, and Rory McIlroy on the field, but I’ll give it my all,” Lowry asserts.
His finest performance has often proven sufficient on such prominent occasions. That’s all he can demand from himself.
“This is most likely my favourite tournament to participate in. Of all the tournaments, it’s the one I’d fancy winning the most,” Lowry shares. “I feel at ease now as I enter the gates; the venue doesn’t exude the same daunting aura anymore. Once Thursday arrives, you can guarantee that I’ll get down to business and strive for the best possible outcome.”