Shane Lowry won't be afraid of winning a Masters

Shane Lowry attacks his ninth Masters next week. Both his coach Neil Manchip and Paul McGinley feel the best is yet to come

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 18: Shane Lowry of Ireland swaps clubs with his coach Neil Manchip during a practice round prior to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links Golf Course on January 18, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Oisin Keniry/Getty Images)

Shane Lowry goes to his ninth Masters next week in strong form and with Paul McGinley confident his fellow Irishman “ticks all the boxes” to succeed at Augusta National in the opening major of the year.

The feelgood factor is growing around the 2019 Open champion following some excellent finishes in his last four appearances, including a tie for third in 2022, and encouraging results in the build up to this year’s pilgrimage to the Cathedral in the Pines, including back-to-back top-five finishes on the PGA Tour’s Florida Swing last month.

A tie for fourth at the Cognizant Classic in Palm Beach Gardens and a third place outright in the following week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, a course where he had previously struggled, has seen Lowry jump back into the world’s Top 50 rankings to a current position of 33rd, with his coach Neil Manchip predicting the best is yet to come in his pupil’s career.

Former Ryder Cup-winning European captain McGinley shares the optimism, citing his recent work with renowned sports psychologist Dr Bob Rotella and his big-game temperament.

“Shane is one of the in-form players in the game at the moment, just look at his last three tournaments and he did very well in Singapore (T29, two weeks ago) even though he travelled halfway around the world to get there,” McGinley told the Irish Examiner.

“He’s a guy coming into form, I know he’s doing a lot of work with Bob Rotella too and he’s reaping the benefits from that. And he’s a guy who’s not afraid of the big occasion.

“There’s a lot of guys who would be intimidated trying to win the Masters but Shane won’t fit into that bracket. I think if he gets a chance to win he’s well capable of taking it. So I wouldn’t rule out he could well add a Masters to what he’s already won.

“He’s shown his ability to compete in the big environments, in the big events.” 

Legends Tour ambassador Paul McGinley. Pic: Ramsey Cardy, Sportsfile

What is more, both Manchip and McGinley believe Lowry’s body of work around Augusta National, with four top-25 finishes in his most recent Masters visits, is a key contributor to the 37-year-old’s confidence heading up Magnolia Drive next week.

“He’s got a decent record around there,” McGinley added. “Augusta is normally a golf course where creative players can get rewarded. I mean, Mickelson’s won around there a few times, a very creative player. Angel Cabrera’s won around there, a very creative player, as is Bubba Watson who’s won around there twice. Seve, Olazabal too, very creative.

“So you look at players who can work the ball both ways, who love to take the spin off their iron shots and off their wedges, are good chippers around the greens and obviously good, inspirational putters. You look at all of those things and that plays right into the skill set that Shane has.

“He comfortably moves the ball both ways, he’s a great chipper of the ball and a very creative player. And he’s inspirational, a guy who raises his game in the right environment. So he does tick all the boxes.

“I wouldn’t put him down as one of the absolute favourites but I’d certainly have him in the top 15 favourites and well capable of winning.” 

Lowry’s coach believes his 2020 Masters appearance, when he played three of the four rounds in the company of five-time and then defending champion Tiger Woods, making the halfway cut for just the second time in his fifth appearance and eventually finishing tied for 25th, has been central to the Irishman’s understanding of Augusta National.

“What we've discussed a lot is just playing the course and how best to do that,” Manchip said. “Shane played with Tiger there in 2020 and really got a good understanding of how he played the course.

“He really plotted his way around very well, he didn't take on any unnecessary shots and shot four-under (284) at his ease out there. He played with Tiger that week and got a really good understanding of how he played the course, so that definitely helped Shane's perception of how he navigates his way around the course.

“You maybe arrive somewhere and you think you have to do things a certain way. And you see somebody else do it differently and you think, 'ah, works pretty well for him. Let's give that a shot'.

“Plot your way around. Hit sensible shots, navigate your way around the course.” Manchip admitted putting pressure on Lowry was “the last thing I want to do”, then added: “But I mean, the game is in good shape. You know, let's keep tracking towards Augusta keep the head focused on, see where it goes.”