Golf

Shane Lowry confident he can bounce back at Royal Troon

Offaly man suffered US Open heartbreak as he let four shot lead slip at Oakmont

Shane Lowry is confident of mounting a challenge in the Open. Photograph: Getty
Shane Lowry is confident of mounting a challenge in the Open. Photograph: Getty
Wed Jul 13 2016 - 14:48

Shane Lowry is convinced he can challenge for the Open title after overcoming his US Open heartache.

The Irishman surrendered a four-shot lead going into the final round at Oakmont last month to finish in a tie for second, three behind winner Dustin Johnson.

Lowry admitted the near miss did affect him for a few days, but he is determined to take the positives from challenging in a major as he prepares for this week’s championship at Royal Troon.

The world number 27 said: “The first few days — the Monday, Tuesday afterwards - was not easy. I was obviously quite disappointed and I’m not going to lie, there were a few moments where there might have been a tear shed or two. I suppose I was beating myself up for a few days after it.

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“That’s just the way it is. That’s the game we play. I know I’ll be back there, I know I’ll give myself a chance again. It’s just up to me to kind of learn from the mistakes of that Sunday afternoon and bring that into the next one.

“For three-and-a-half rounds I was up there and leading in one of the biggest tournaments in the world.

“So it can give you a bit of confidence going forward into this week.

“If you look at it, after the US Open, I was a lot further along in my career than I was the week before, so there are a lot of positives to take from it. I’m well and truly over it.”

Lowry hopes he can find his touch on the greens in Scotland this week to put him firmly in contention to win the Claret Jug.

The 29-year-old said: “If I hole a few putts this week, I do think I can stand there on Sunday — hopefully on the 18th green lifting the trophy.”

Lowry will play the first two rounds at Troon alongside Jordan Spieth and Justin Rose in a high-profile grouping, teeing off at 9.03am on Thursday.

This is something he is relishing, although he did dig himself into a hole trying to explain that at a press conference.

He said: “I have a really good group tomorrow, and I’m looking forward to that. I can’t wait. That’s where I want to be, playing with the best players in the world.

“I’ve been in plenty of s***** groups over the years... with all due respect to the golfers! I don’t mean the players I was playing with, I meant the times more so!”