Shane Lowry says Masters win would top Open triumph

Roared on by a sell-out crowd undeterred by miserable conditions at Royal Portrush last year, Lowry became the fifth Irish player to lift the Claret Jug after Fred Daly, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy.

McIlroy has so far come the closest to winning at Augusta National having squandered a four-shot lead after 54 holes in 2011, but Lowry feels the first ever November Masters means he is in better form than normal for what is usually the first major of the year.

“Coming back to Augusta, obviously it’s my favourite place in the world to play golf without a doubt, but it’s somewhere I’ve never had much success,” the 33-year-old said.

“This is my fifth Masters and I don’t think I’ve ever shot too many great rounds around here. I’m hoping the time of year kind of changes my look around here and I’m probably coming in with a bit more form than I ever really have.

“I’m hopeful for the week ahead. I do feel like my game is in a good place. I played nine holes yesterday and feel like the course is great. We are going to get a bit of rain, which everybody is going to say is going to suit me, but you know, we just have to wait and see.”

Asked if he could ever top his emotional victory at Portrush, Lowry added: “I think I’ll struggle, but if I have a chance it will be around here.

“To be the first Irishman to ever wear the green jacket would be pretty special. That’s probably one of the only things that could top it.

“I’ve worked very hard all my life and I’ve really put my mind down to it, and I achieved something very, very special last year. Yes, I probably won’t ever top that, but if it is, it will maybe be around here.

“But I’m not going to talk myself up too much. I’m never really one to do that. I just kind of go about my business the way I always do and if I give myself a chance on Sunday, I know I can pull something like this off.”

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