Adam McKendry reports from Ballyliffin
SHANE LOWRY HAS admitted that he doesnโt find the Irish Open an enjoyable experience anymore after this yearโs event at Ballyliffin saw him finish in a tie for 28th.
The Clara golfer finish two-under around the Glashedy Links, 12 shots adrift of eventual winner Russell Knox, after struggling to cope with the conditions in northern Donegal.
Lowry cut a frustrated figure for most of the tournament as he failed to ever gain any momentum out on the course and it spilt over after his final round on Sunday, a two-under 70.
โIโd be lying if I said it was a very enjoyable week, and thatโs no disrespect to anyone,โ he blasted. โItโs a tougher week than I normally get.
โItโs weird because I love playing in front of the Irish people, but I try my best and I try probably too hard to do well for them and for myself and for my family thatโs here.
โIโll look back on it, and I played some good golf this week. I just let it get to me for nine holes yesterday and that was the big downfall of my whole week was sort of nine holes yesterday, and I wish I could go back and play those again but unfortunately I canโt.
He added: โI wouldnโt say (itโs) suffocating, because Iโm very lucky to do what I do, very lucky to be here playing the Irish Open, and Iโve actually won the tournament as well, so Iโm very lucky to have that under my belt.
โItโs my own fault for letting it get to me. I said at the start of the week I was going to try and be better, but the harder you try, the harder it is.โ
It left the 31-year-old, who won this tournament in 2009 as a fresh-faced amateur, struggling to sum up his week at Ballyliffin.
Despite the beautiful weather, the great scenery and the blockbuster crowds, it wasnโt a positive assessment of the week as a whole for Lowry, who will be hoping for better fortunes at The Open in two weeks.
โI think the week as a whole, average is a good word to use,โ he sighed. โIf you look at where I finish, itโs pretty average for me I feel, especially around here. I felt like I could have done something this week.
โI think wanting it too much is probably the biggest thing. The crowds out there almost want it too much for you, as well. Itโs hard. I just find it difficult. I donโt know why.
โPeople at home might look at me and think Iโm mad for saying that but thatโs the way it is. I find it difficult. I find I put too much pressure on myself. I said at the start of the week I wasnโt going to but yesterday afternoon, I still did.
โAnother Irish Open down and hopefully Iโll learn a little bit from this one. But havenโt seemed to learn from the last five or six. Weโll see.โ
Lowry will now skip the Scottish Open next week at Gullane, instead opting for some rest and recovery ahead of the Open, with the third Major of the year his next event at Carnoustie.
His record at the event hasnโt exactly been stellar, having missed the cut the last three years and a ninth placed finish in 2014 his best result, and this week would suggest he has improvements to make ahead of the tournament.
But Lowry believes that after a week away from the competitive side of the game heโll be fighting fit and ready to go at the Scottish links.
โMy putter left me for nine or ten holes yesterday and somehow got it back today,โ he said with an incredulous smile.
โI think thereโs certain parts of my game that really need to sharpen up before Carnoustie because we all know how hard Carnoustie is, so I just need to go away now for the next week or so and try to get them better than they were this week and see what sort of game I bring to Carnoustie and try and do my best there.
โYou definitely need your B+ or A game going to Carnoustie. Iโve shot some good scores around there but thatโs in the Dunhill Links and I believe itโs a different animal when you get to the Open.
โJust be interested to see what it plays like. Iโm looking forward to it but Iโm really looking forward to a few days off first.โ
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The Ukrainians looked shattered out there, they were playing on pure adrenaline and national pride a few months back but the ongoing war is definitely taking its toll on them now as this group goes on.
fair play for them booing that ridiculous minutes silence, reaffirmed my affinity for the Scottish national side. Made easy when there are so few currant buns in the support.
On a serious note, our midfield has a problem on its hands with McGinn if plays like that
@Sam Murray: No match for Jay Molumby the Waterford tank
@Sam Murray: Fouled the defender for the first goal me thinks,penalty if it was in the other box?
Impressive??????? Bit strong. Ukraine got tired would b more accurate I think. I would have thought for 70 mins they were far from impressive. Gave away plenty off ball, sloppy passing and terrible In front of goal for 70 mins until Ukraine just tanked. Hardly impressive.