IF SHANE LOWRY is feeling in anyway nervous about his first visit to the Masters, he’s not showing it.
The Offaly golfer will make his Augusta debut next month and insists he’ll treat the first Major of the year the way he would a round of golf with his mates back in Tullamore and it’s an approach he hopes will bring him success.
“I’m just looking forward to seeing the place, seeing what it’s like and what all the hype is about,” Lowry told The42. “But, yeah, I suppose holes like the 12th, I’m looking forward to that and seeing what makes it so difficult.
“Hopefully I can go there and do well, I think I can, I’m playing well enough. I’ve never been to a Masters and there’s this myth that rookies never win it but hopefully I can go there and give myself a chance. At the end of the day it’s a golf course.”
And while the world number 44 has a lot of respect for the course and the tournament, he’ll prepare for it the way he would any tournament. In fact, he’s preparing for it the same way he would a round with his friends.
“Obviously there are a few bits of trickiness here and there but it’s 72 holes like any other event so there’s no reason why I can’t go there and compete.
“If I can get within two or three of the lead going into the back nine in any tournament, I’ve got a chance and that has to be your goal setting out every week and that’s going to be my goal for the Masters.
“For me, I just try to play good golf, hit good shots day in, day out. You know, if I go out tomorrow and play with my mates, I’ll want to hit the same shots I hit at Augusta. That’s just what I do.
“I’ve got Bay Hill next week and that’s on my mind more so than the Masters. Don’t get me wrong, I’m looking forward to Augusta but if you go there and shoot two 75s and miss the cut it’s not any good to you.
“I just need to keep my game sharp, maybe tighten up my short game a little as it hasn’t been great over the last few weeks.”
However, the 27-year old has not been tempted to adopt the strategy employed by some Formula One drivers and take to video games in an effort to extract an advantage over his rivals.
“I used to play Tiger Woods a lot when I was a kid but I don’t think I’ve ever played Augusta on it. I don’t even own a Playstation now so there’ll be none of that. It’s a lot easier hit the ball straight on that than on a real golf course,” he laughed.
As for winning next month, would he rather put on the green jacket or see Offaly to win an All-Ireland double?
“I think there’s more chance of me winning the Masters! I can’t answer that though. I think Offaly winning the double would impact on my golf a little bit.
“It’s a question I can’t answer.”
Shane Lowry was speaking at the launch of SimplyGolf, a new golf smartphone app, which aims to revolutionise the way the world learns the game of golf. The Simply Golf app seamlessly connects golfers with golf pro’s in their local area using geo-locational technology. The product takes the hassle out of booking golf lessons and makes the game more accessible to both golfers and non-golfers alike.
