Shane Lowry: Why can’t a rookie win the US Masters?

While Rory McIlroy will command much of the focus in the countdown to the Masters, good friend Shane Lowry reckons he could become only the third player in history to win on debut at Augusta National.

It’s now less than two months before Lowry makes his first appearance at Augusta National on April 9 and a week after the Carton House pro turns 28.

Lowry will be joining fellow Irishmen McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke in a four-pronged Irish assault.

McIlroy will be striving hard to become not only the first Irish-born winner of the Masters but join just three other golfers to have won four Majors.

Technically, only three golfers have won the Masters on debut with Horton Smith being the inaugural champion in 1934, Gene Sarazen a year later while Fuzzy Zoeller won in 1979.

“I don’t see why a rookie can’t win the Masters as it’s only another golf tournament, and that’s how I will be treating it,” said Lowry.

“I know many already predicting Rory can win but I’m also going to Augusta to win.

“But then I haven’t given too much thought to the Masters as I’ve got two more events in the States before heading to Augusta, and I just want to do well in them.”

Lowry revealed also he’s rented a seven bedroom house in Augusta for himself and eight other family members including his coach, caddy and friends who will travel to Augusta.

Lowry has two weeks off before he makes another career debut and that is in the WGC – Cadillac Championship at Doral in suburban Miami.

It is the first big world golf showdown of the new season and Lowry will be looking to continue improving his current world No. 40 ranking.

“It’s good to be No. 40 in the world as I have been spending the last couple of years trying to get myself inside the top-50,” he said.

“So while I am happy with where I am now on the rankings I also want climb higher, and also get a win under my belt.

“But compared to a few years back when I was outside the top-100, my whole game has since improved and while I’ve always had a good short game, mentally I have matured enormously.

“So all round my game has improved along with the mental side. That’s why I feel as though I belong among the top-50 in the world.”