Offaly ‘grinder’ Shane Lowry not caught up in Chambers Bay whining

Whether it did appear as if players were putting on greens of broccoli (as Henrik Stenson suggested), or cauliflower (as Rory McIlroy amended), it shouldn’t have been lost on the gathered media that it was two Europeans with the quickest and driest wit regarding the unfortunate playing conditions at Chambers Bay in the 115th US Open.

It probably was, however, because the American media hasn’t ever fully appreciated this flavourful slice of the PGA Tour — that there are so many fine players who uproot themselves, leave their homeland for long stretches of time, pursue their golf dream in another country, and do so with good humour.

Study, for instance, how rarely American golfers chase golf opportunities in Europe or Asia — heck, many don’t travel to the west coast of their own country — to appreciate those who carry their foreign flags onto the PGA Tour stage.

Through 54 holes of the US Open at Chambers Bay, this topic was easy to embrace once again because of the top 14 names on the board, eight of them were born outside the US. Likely, the American golf fan knew something about only three of those names — Stenson of Sweden, Jason Day of Australia, Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa — and, for sure, it was easy for the likes of Branden Grace of South Africa, young Aussie Cameron Smith, and the Netherlands’ Joost Luiten to meander around Chambers Bay with very little disruption.

It says all you need to know about the lack of appreciation some Americans have for the global golf landscape when you hear this story: Hired to work for the Fox network, which was making its US Open debut, a retired American golfer told a friend he was assigned to work alongside a gentleman with an English accent.

Well, not quite, because the gentleman he was speaking of was born and raised in Australia and was a true “Aussie.” Petty, perhaps, but it helps explain why Grace was considered such an afterthought by the American media, despite being ranked 40th in the Official World Golf Ranking and having racked up six European Tour wins. Even a bonafide star like Oosthuizen, just a few years removed from an impressive victory at the Open Championship, gets very little respect within these borders, yet shooting 66-66 to get into contention after opening with a 77 proved what a talent he is.

But to the American media’s lack of respect for Oosthuizen and other internationals, add the name Shane Lowry. The Irishman was one of those in the top 14, a mere three off the lead, in fact.

Yet if anyone in the American media was paying attention, it would have been a surprise. More likely, not many in the American media even knew Lowry was in the field. A shame, of course, but fortunately, Lowry is like a good many of his colleagues from Europe, Asia, and South America — understanding of the reality, willing to prove themselves with their golf clubs.

Unlike so many of the young players who come up through the American junior circuit and collegiate ranks, Lowry doesn’t have a sense of entitlement. He’ll earn his keep.

“I’m comfortable, yes,” Lowry said earlier in 2015. “It’s not an easy way to do things, I’ve got a small window, but I’ll give it my best.” Without full status on the PGA Tour, Lowry chose to accept sponsor exemptions where offered and to pile up enough money — he’s at $267,201 (€234,858) or FedEx Cup points (he’s at 257) to reach totals equal to a high enough position that would grant him Special Temporary Membership and then, perhaps, full membership. A tough way to do things, Lowry conceded, but he’s of true blue-collar European stock; meaning, he’ll tee it up and grind it out.

Though there have been pockets of fine play — Lowry had a T-7, T-21, T-17 stretch January into February — this US Open opportunity was clearly his best chance to break down the door. The good thing is, it arrived in conjunction with some of his best play in years. “I feel very in control of my game and my iron play has been quite good this week,” he said.

To the handful of American journalists who take the time to study the new international faces, Lowry is a delight.

Personable and self-deprecating, he has a warm sense of humour, and a gentle nature. To what we knew about him — his victory as an amateur in the Irish Open back in 2009 the bulk of it — some of us have added an appreciation to his ability to play tough courses well and compete through nasty conditions. A grinder, as we say, and so it probably shouldn’t be a surprise to see him not getting caught up in the whining about Chambers Bay; instead, Lowry sees the big picture. “It’s tough; it’s very tough,” he said.

“But I think it’s playable.” And against a backdrop of American players appearing as if taxes went up $5 on their beachfront summer home, Lowry smiled. “It’s probably one of the most enjoyable days I’ve had at a golf course in while,” he told his caddie during the third-round 70.

If it were to get even better for Lowry, it would be a pleasant thing to witness and further proof the global flavour on the PGA Tour should be embraced, not ignored.