Lowry feeling back in the groove

Shane Lowry believes he has rediscovered the mindset which allows him to play at his best after an impressive couple of weeks.

In his first eight starts on the European Tour this year, the 27-year-old’s best finish was joint 39th in February’s Tshwane Open in South Africa.

However, he rediscovered his form with a place in the top 15 at the Spanish Open, pushed Rory McIlroy a close second in the flagship BMW PGA Championship on Sunday and, 24 hours later, topped 36-hole US Open qualifying at Walton Heath.

There is a danger Lowry could pay for the week he has had, with six strokeplay rounds in five days, at the Nordea Masters in Malmo but he believes his confidence will help him through.

“I am in a decent frame of mind as I’ve been playing quite well over the last few weeks,” he told European Tour Radio.

“I was struggling a lot and managed to find something at the Spanish Open and brought it into Wentworth and I really enjoyed it there and played well at Walton Heath on Monday.

“I feel I’m mentally back to where I am when I’m at my best. I’m switched on and nothing fazes me when I’m like this.

“With my finish last week and qualifying Monday I’ve definitely got two of the next three majors and hopefully the Open as well, in addition to the Irish Open.

“I know I have done well last week and Monday but everyone is standing on the first tee with the shame chance.”