Shane Lowry: I’ve learned from Oakmont

Shane Lowry returns to the major championship arena today armed with confidence rather than burdened by disappointment following last month’s US Open near-miss.

The 29-year-old had taken a four-stroke lead into the final round at Oakmont only to shoot a 76 and finish three behind Dustin Johnson in a tie for second place. The hurt must have felt crushing and Lowry admitted he had been “beating myself up for a few days” afterwards but as he finished his preparations for today’s opening round of the 145th Open at Royal Troon, everything was pointing to the Esker Hills golfer continuing on an upward curve rather than struggling with any demons.

A return to the world’s top 30 in the rankings, a €660,758 payday which has propelled him into the Ryder Cup qualification mix, yesterday’s appearance on the pre-tournament press conference list and a place in a marquee group for the first two rounds of the third major of the year all reflect Lowry’s increasing profile among the game’s elite.