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.

“If I can just play as good as I can play and see what happens at the end of the week; I feel like my game is very good at the minute and if I keep doing what I’ve been doing the last while, I could do all right. Clearly, it depends on what other people do, whether you finish in the top-five, or the top-10 or you win or something like that.

“I’m a better player than I was then, a lot more mature and mentally better than I was going to that US Open.”

The Clara, Co Offaly, golfer brings with him some compelling form following his runner-up finish behind McIlroy at the BMW PGA Championship three weeks ago at Wentworth and a victory in the following day’s US Open international qualifier at Walton Heath.

“Five or six weeks ago, I was looking just to make cuts and get a few Race to Dubai points on the board. Now I’ve had a couple of decent rounds, I’m looking forward to Pinehurst and the US Open. Golf’s a funny old game at times. You never quite know what’s around the corner.

“I’d struggled before Wentworth and I went in there without much form, only a decent finish in Spain (the previous week). Something clicked at Wentworth, I played very well and I managed to compete and almost win.

“To qualify for the US Open the day after was great. To go to Sweden after that, I was bit tired most of the week (in the Nordea Masters), I made a lot of birdies in the tournament but also made a lot of mistakes.

“To finish the week with a 66 on Sunday was quite pleasing so, yeah, I’m feeling good, I’m feeling confident.”

Lowry took a week off following his tie for 25th in Sweden, practising with Manchip at his Carton House base and playing Seapoint with his brother as Alan Lowry prepared for the Irish Close before some uncomfortable viewing at Nowlan Park as his beloved Offaly were hammered by Kilkenny on Saturday night.

He got his first look at the Pinehurst No.2 course on Sunday afternoon as heavy rain fell in the North Carolina sandhills and was out early again yesterday morning, playing a practice round alongside Englishman Danny Willett.

“It’s a long golf course, which could suit me in a way,” Lowry said. “You need to drive the ball straight and long and you need to be a decent chipper around there, so I think I’ve got the two of those. If the rest of my game can just hold up, I think I’ll be okay. I expect a few butterflies, more excitement than anything else. The way I played the back nine at Wentworth against those top players, I feel now I can go to any tournament and block out those nerves. Everyone is going to be nervous, if you’re not nervous, you’re not human. It’ll be more excitement than anything else. I’ll be itching to get going.”