Lowry looking for major step-up

In-form Shane Lowry returns to the US Open arena this week, no longer just happy to be there as he was on his debut three years ago but confident that he can compete in a major championship.

Lowry, 27, arrived at Pinehurst in North Carolina on Sunday with coach Neil Manchip for his second crack at the USGA major, feeling he is much better equipped to meet the demands of the most rigorous test in golf than he was at Congressional Country Club in 2011, when he missed the halfway cut in the championship that saw Rory McIlroy land his first major.

“I spoke to Neil about this when I was hitting a few balls,” Lowry said. “It’s a few years since I last played the US Open. I went over there just kind of happy to be there, looking forward to playing another major in the States and just to enjoy it but now I feel like I can go over there this week and almost compete.