Shane Lowry was plenty content after finding something on the putting green this morning at Lahinch that could prove key to his Open Championship ambitions in a fortnight’s time.
The Clara star signed off on a solid four days at the Irish Open with a two-under par 68 in County Clare that included four birdies. His four-under par tally sees Lowry sitting just outside the top-30 but far from concerned with his finish this week, Lowry may have unlocked the secret to his putting that he’s hoping will carry over into a crucial period of the season.
“I got enough out of that,” reflected Lowry who struggled for much of the week with illness. “I found something on the putting green this morning that I was very pleased about and hopefully it will be a feeling that will last for a while. I struggled over the first couple of days with my pace and my strike; I’d got into some old habits but for some reason it just clicked this morning.
“I sit on my toes and I move off the ball when I hit my putts so I just felt like I needed to sit back on my heels and I putted lovely today. To find that is a great positive to take out of my week. I’ve really enjoyed it here at Lahinch. I felt like I could come and compete – disappointed I didn’t but I didn’t feel 100% for the week either. To put in a couple of under par rounds was OK.
“This has probably been the best Irish Open I’ve played with regards atmosphere, crowds, the whole set-up, the job they’ve done down here at Lahinch is unbelievable. I wouldn’t be against the idea of coming back here next year but it’s not my call.”
Lowry’s attention now turns to a first Open Championship on home soil when the eyes of the golfing world fix themselves on Royal Portrush and the 31-year old intends to get into links mode now to ensure his preparation sets him in good stead for a possible first Major title.
“I’ll take a couple of days off and get back into it on Wednesday,” said Lowry.
“I’ll be ready to go next week. I’ll play a bit of golf out in The Island or Portmarnock or something like that to get a bit of links golf in and keep it going. It is a type of golf that you need to be used to; the type of wind makes you hit a lot of different shots so it will be nice to keep that ticking over.
“I think it’s going to be a tough Open. It all depends on the weather but I’m going to go up there and fly under the radar as much as I can and go about my business and hopefully I can get out there and do what I’ve been doing for most of the year and shoot some decent scores.”
Far from shying away from the growing expectation surrounding the Offaly man’s form of 2019, Lowry believes he will be making his way to Northern Ireland in the form of his life.
“I’m in a great place at the minute. There’s nothing more I can say really. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a better place than I am now. It’s exciting times for me and I’m looking forward to the next few weeks.”
Meanwhile, Padraig Harrington signed off on a solid week with an even-par 70 while West Waterford’s Seamus Power didn’t enjoy the best of weekends, going 73 & 72 for a one-over par tournament total.
Full Scoring HERE
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