SHANE LOWRY WAS in understandably upbeat form following his win at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational in Firestone last night.
Speaking on Newstalk’s Off the Ball, the Offaly native suggested the triumph would have positive ramifications on his career in the long term.
“This is a massive win for me, it’s going to give me so much confidence,” he said
“There’s no reason why I can’t compete in every tournament from now on
“I feel like I’ve been kicked by golf over the last year, but sometimes it gives you something when you least expect it.”
Lowry recalled how, despite the high stakes including €1.4 million prize money, he was “very calm” for much of the day. However, he admitted to getting “nervy” towards the end of the event.
“I hit an awful second shot on the 11th but other than that I was nice and calm and collected
“It was one of those days where everything went to plan
“I was fully aware what I needed to do. I watched the leaderboard all day
“[Winning] was a surreal feeling.”
On the final hole, Lowry acknowledged he benefited from some good fortune, as his shot went through the trees to land perfectly on the green.
“I was praying to make four,” he admitted. “I was just trying to hit it in the right side of green
“I couldn’t believe it landed where it did. Sometimes you need a bit of luck to win.”
The Irish golfer said his phone had been “hopping” since his victory, with Brian O’Driscoll and Colm Cooper among the most notable well wishers.
While saying that he “could have won more” in his career thus far, Lowry – who is now placed among the world’s top 20 golfers — was optimistic that this success would prove to be a turning point.
“Competing at the highest level is what I want to do,” he said. “Hopefully the floodgates will open now and I can win more.
“Going into the PGA, people will talk about me having a chance of doing well and I want to live up to that.”
