Shane Lowry went from tears to the Claret Jug
Golf is funny. Shane Lowry from Ireland says that a lot.
He said it during an interview last year, but he didn't laugh. He sounded instead. He was frustrated with his golf game, worn off the road and missed his family. "If things don't go well, it can be a lonely lifestyle," said Lowry, 32, who plays in the Italian Open from Olgiata Golf Club in Rome from Thursday to Sunday.
Those were not good times for Lowry. He found himself crying in his car in the parking lot after he missed the cut at the British Open 2018 at Carnoustie Golf Links in Scotland. "Golf was not my friend," he said at the time.
Today the embroidery pot that he won at Open this year is on the counter in his kitchen, where he had just finished making dinner for his daughter, Iris. Golf is indeed funny.
"She is not impressed," Lowry said in an interview. "She's too young to know."
How exactly did he get from such lows to winning six shots at Royal Portrush in July? He cannot credit one specific change. When pressed, he depends his recent success on a change in his mentality and maturity.
"I changed my mind on the golf course," he said. “When we spoke at the Irish Open last year, I had a hard time. You just have to fight through it.
Then Lowry said it again. “Golf is funny. You just never know what's around. If you believe that what you are doing is right for you, then you will ultimately get success.
"I have never been really consistent throughout my career – I have had my ups and downs like everyone else. I put it down to adulthood."
Lowry also changed his caddy, which he said that he had helped his course management. He calls his new caddy Bo Martin that he is grounded under pressure. Martin and Neil Manchip, the coach of Lowry, have helped him not to become too negative when there are no results.
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Lowry said Manchip also relieved the pressure, especially before the British Open when they talked about what it would mean. Win or lose, at the end of the day Lowry understood that he would still be the same man. The goal was to go out every day and be the best golfer he could be.
"It is clear that it happened and I don't think it has changed me a lot as a person," Lowry said. “My family life is the same as before. If you come home in the evening, you have a good or a bad score. But you still have to get up and do it all again tomorrow. That really helped me this year. There have been times this year when I got a bad score and I can get over it. I used to let bad scores get rid of me. That was a reason for part of my bad shape.
“I concentrated too hard and it meant too much for me. You have to be very patient in this game and let the results come to you instead of forcing the results. That is what I have done this year. ”
Having a family that also takes into account the maturity and mentality of Lowry. He married in 2016 and his daughter arrived the following year. Lowry said that everything has changed.
"There is more to life than golf," he said. & # 39; Maybe a few years ago I only had golf. But now I have a wife and a baby, and they mean everything to me. Family comes first at the end of the day. "
He has been advised on how to deal with performance pressure after winning a major. Rory McIlroy suggested that he enjoy the moment and take stock. Padraig Harrington warned him not to fall victim to the pressure associated with winning a major.
"I really feel that I am just the same person and the same golfer," said Lowry. "I don't feel like I have to prove myself. I feel like I can just be myself. But you always need advice from your colleagues. Both asked me how I handle it. Rory asked if I have "I noticed how much busier I am and whether I manage my time differently than before. Things are different that way. I just went with the flow during tournaments. Now I have more obligations."
While Lowry is closing the year , he has a clear goal: to make the Ryder Cup team, he is second in the Race to Dubai, the points system that co-determines the number 1 player in Europe, and his victories in Abu Dhabi and the British Open bring him closer.
"I'm 32, I feel like I have to make one soon," Lowry said. "I hope it's my time. I feel that this is the next step for me. But at the end of the day I do what I enjoy living and taking care of my family. I can give them a good life. There is not much to complain about.
Lowry said he was still the same man, the same golfer. Nothing has really changed. But he has learned one thing that will come in handy.
"When it comes to the big tournaments, I know I have everything to get it over the line."
That, and golf is funny.