Confidence is key. Just ask Pádraig Harrington, who shot four sub-par rounds in Italy last week and still finished a modest 33rd in the Italian Open.

Shane 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.

Being Ryder Cup captain means showing faith in your big gun and both 2014 skipper Paul McGinley and 2016 European boss Darren Clarke had sympathy for a struggling Rory McIlroy.

Shane Lowry secured his place in next month’s US Open with another superb display at the BMW PGA Championship.

Robert Rock fully understands he will always be remembered as the fall guy in this country when Shane Lowry pulled off his sensational victory as an amateur in the 2009 Irish Open at Baltray.

The countdown officially commenced at Fota Island Resort yesterday as former champion Shane Lowry gave his seal of approval to the 2014 Irish Open venue.

Shane Lowry believes it’s crucial an Irishman contends for Irish Open glory at Carton House this weekend and helps create the festival atmosphere to safeguard the tournament’s tenuous future.

Shane Lowry is prepared to take one for the team this week as he gears up for what is potentially the biggest summer of his career.

Shane Lowry’s allegiance to his native Offaly is almost as well-known as his golfing exploits and the Clara man believes the county’s hopes of resurrecting a glorious past would be improved if they returned to the days of the dual player.

Shane Lowry overcame a sleepless night following his shock win over Rory McIlroy to crush Carl Pettersson 6 and 5 and set up a dream last 16 clash with pal Graeme McDowell in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.

Rory McIlroy lasted only two rounds in his first tournament of the year, but his return to action this week could be even shorter.

Shane Lowry will face Rory McIlroy in the first round of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona on Wednesday.

Shane Lowry and Peter Lawrie boosted hopes of qualifying for next week’s British Open with sizzling 66s on the opening day of the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.

It is a bit like asking Bruce Springsteen to audition for American Idol, asking Royal Portrush to jump through hoops to get the British Open Championship.

Welshman Jamie Donaldson, without a European Tour win in 244 starts, led the Irish Open midway through his third round at wet and windy Royal Portrush.

Robert Rock exorcised any lasting Baltray demons to deny US Open winners Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Tiger Woods and capture the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

SPEND an hour or two in Shane Lowry’s company and you quickly find an uncomplicated young man with a bright, positive attitude to life and one whose head won’t be turned by fame and fortune.

DUBLIN-based sports management company Horizon, headed by Galway man Conor Ridge, pulled off its biggest coup yesterday with the news that US Open champion and world No 3 Rory McIlroy will become their latest acquisition after leaving Andrew “Chubby” Chandler’s International Sports Management (ISM) company.

THE bumper crowds expected for this week’s Irish Open presented by Discover Ireland will be spoiled for choice after the draw for the first two rounds was made yesterday.

FOR a game so reliant on the power of positive thinking, Irish Open memories do not come much better than Shane Lowry’s.

SHANE LOWRY’S US Open debut came to a disappointing end at Congressional Country Club last night but defending champion Graeme McDowell and Pádraig Harrington will play over the weekend.

SHANE LOWRY got his first look at a US Open course set-up at Congressional County Club yesterday having admitted he was taking a leap into the unknown.

2009 Irish Open champion Shane Lowry has qualified for the US Open in Congressional.

Robert Rock is closing in on 200 European Tour events without a win, but maybe a change of caddie is about to bring a change of luck.