Shane Lowry - 2019 Champion Golfer of The Year (note first post please for posting guidance)

Edna_Ennky

Very disappointing to see Shane miss the cut this week. Personally I think he needs to gather round his team and have a root and branch review into why things have become so stale over the last 2 years or thereabouts. From being a top 20 player in 2015 when he won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, to being just barely inside the top 90 on the world rankings as of last week.

I personally cannot understand why he hasn't gone to an external putting guru to sort out his inconsistent putting. It is vital that this must happen. He is 3 putting far too often for my liking and doesn't inspire much confidence in particular with the 3 to 8 footers.

Another issue that he must address is his inconsistent wedge and short iron game. I have been closely following his play on shotlink on the PGA Tour over the last few years. His approach play from 75 to 150 yards can range from 3 ft to around 40 ft at least. The latter figure seems to be most common though. He took 5 shots with a wedge in his hands, with his 2nd shot at the par 4 10th in Carnoustie in the 1st round. That is one such example of how Lowry is not taking advantage of his driving, which to me is his biggest asset of his game.

Finally his attitude or his mental fortitude when the going gets tough is also questionable. The interview that he gave to Greg Allen post round 1 this week, when he said that he basically hates his game at the moment and beating himself up about it, is clearly not an encouraging sign for the Offaly man. Yes he wears his heart on his sleeve at times but when you in the middle of the biggest tournament of the year, that attitude of feeling sorry for yourself will get you nowhere.

So for the reasons that I said in the above, Shane has to re-dedicate himself more to the game and try to have a better attitude on the golf course. Clearly the status quo is not working for Lowry at the moment. I still believe that Shane can raise his game as he is still a very talented golfer. But unless he addresses the issues that I have mentioned, then the critics that say that Shane is wasting his talent will only get louder.

callaway92

I mentioned earlier in the thread his fitness and got completely berated by a bunch of losers..the man has put so much weight back on

Keano

callaway92 wrote: »

I mentioned earlier in the thread his fitness and got completely berated by a bunch of losers..the man has put so much weight back on

Kindly don’t post in this thread again unless you’ve something to add it to it. Calling people losers and discussing a persons weight isn’t adding anything

callaway92

Keano wrote: »

Kindly don’t post in this thread again unless you’ve something to add it to it. Calling people losers and discussing a persons weight isn’t adding anything

His weight gain could well be a contributing issue into his downfall though.. More-so, his fitness has to come into question. I'm a massive fan of Lowry but this is a discussion about him, whether positive or negative.

Keano

callaway92 wrote: »

His weight gain could well be a contributing issue into his downfall though.. More-so, his fitness has to come into question. I'm a massive fan of Lowry but this is a discussion about him, whether positive or negative.

As per the charter please don’t respond to a mod comment. If you have an issue drop a PM.

Trampas

I think he’s just proved again and again only for the select few playing on both tours is very hard.

Dropping out of top 50 means no wgc or majors guaranteed and therefore more pressure. Many top players have dropped out and few return. Snowball effect as points earned in the wgc and limited fields are crazy. Looking after each other. Tigers event prime example.

I’m sure young child effects things also. Can’t write the season off in a way as just slide further down the rankings

Edna_Ennky

In the link that you will see below, it appears that Dermot Byrne, his caddie for over 9 years, may no longer be Shane's caddie. Neil Manchip, Lowry's coach was on the bag for the Offaly man during yesterday's second round. It appears that according to journalist Brian Keogh, that Byrne told Lowry he maybe not the man to steer him from missing the cut after a hugely disappointing round of 74 in round one of the Open.

Lowry will play the next 4 weeks in order to secure his PGA Tour card for next season including next weeks Canadian Open where it is expected that a new caddie will be in place in time for the tournament.

https://www.irishgolfdesk.com/news-files/2018/7/21/as-mcilroy-catches-fire-lowry-puts-caddie-on-ice

poteen

Yep, it's confirmed they are late to g ways for now. Very odd mid tournament. Shane was very off at the Irish Open. His career is just passing by.

Mysterypunter

Can't say a word about this under achiever, not allowed by the boards know all Shane is a great lad boyos, sure he's one of us, a few pints and all that. Talent and no application, middle of the road plodder

callaway92

Keano wrote: »

As per the charter please don’t respond to a mod comment. If you have an issue drop a PM.

Man, I wasn’t ‘attacking’ your post or anything. It’s a discussion board. What is going on here?

I don’t have any ‘issue’ etc

PokeHerKing

Mysterypunter wrote:

Can't say a word about this under achiever, not allowed by the boards know all Shane is a great lad boyos, sure he's one of us, a few pints and all that. Talent and no application, middle of the road plodder

I'd bite your hand and foot off for Shanes life.

He's achieved something very few have.

He's a millionaire and will never have to answer to any boss except may be his missus.

I'm sure he'll be crying into his cornflakes while me and you are sitting in rush hour traffic on Monday.

callaway92

PokeHerKing wrote: »

I'd bite your hand and foot off for Shanes life.

He's achieved something very few have.

He's a millionaire and will never have to answer to any boss except may be his missus.

I'm sure he'll be crying into his cornflakes while me and you are sitting in rush hour traffic on Monday.

Do you not get the guys’ point though instead of berating him?

We want the best for Lowry. Lot of untapped potential there surely?

big_drive

I remember here years back when he first came on tour people on this forum said he’d never make it on the EuropeanTour and he turned pro too soon after the Irish open.

Now he’s being called an under achiever. Amazing how perception changes over time

TheRiverman

I think he has never fully got over finishing second in the 2016 US Open.Hope he can turn his poor form around.

callaway92

big_drive wrote: »

I remember here years back when he first came on tour people on this forum said he’d never make it on the EuropeanTour and he turned pro too soon after the Irish open.

Now he’s being called an under achiever. Amazing how perception changes over time

You’re talking in hindsight though. We’ve seen his potential at this stage now and know he’s better than what he’s producing.

Mysterypunter

PokeHerKing wrote: »

I'd bite your hand and foot off for Shanes life.

He's achieved something very few have.

He's a millionaire and will never have to answer to any boss except may be his missus.

I'm sure he'll be crying into his cornflakes while me and you are sitting in rush hour traffic on Monday.

The point is not about finances or sitting in traffic or anything like that, if the chap is not enjoying it there is something wrong. It would be nice to see a happy player playing well. Every time I have a discussion or argument about a person, someone brings it back to money, its about enjoyment and doing as well as you can.

Minderbinder

TheRiverman wrote: »

I think he has never fully got over finishing second in the 2016 US Open.Hope he can turn his poor form around.

That seems to be where it started going downhill alright. He also got married, had a child and moved to the States within a short period of time.

There are many stresses there potentially which could be affecting his game.

I honestly feel that the problems for Shane are off the course. He’s moved from being a player who didn’t need to play well to sustain his lifestyle to being a player who is now under pressure to bring in the cash and it could be a lot of pressure for some people suddenly having that responsibility to provide for other people.

Hopefully it’s just a phase he’s going through but I think he needs to make golf his priority and play more regularly on normal tour events.

davo10

When he lived in Carton a few years ago, he practiced a lot and really seemed to enjoy his game. He doesn't seem to be enjoying it much now.

I agree with the decline seeming to set in after missing out on the US Open, he was devastated afterwards and there may have been a sense that this was the once in a life time chance gone a begging.

At the risk of incurring the wrath of a hypersensitive mod, fitness seems a very important part of the modern professional golfer's ability to compete in a four day event, week in week out. It is rare now a days to see a top golfer as out of shape as Lowry. I doubt there would be sanction if we were discussing a footballer or any other athlete so I'm not sure why discussion of a professional golfers weight should be different, it impacts how a golfer swings and plays.

callaway92

davo10 wrote: »

When he lived in Carton a few years ago, he practiced a lot and really seemed to enjoy his game. He doesn't seem to be enjoying it much now.

I agree with the decline seeming to set in after missing out on the US Open, he was devastated afterwards and there may have been a sense that this was the once in a life time chance gone a begging.

At the risk of incurring the wrath of a hypersensitive mod, fitness seems a very important part of the modern professional golfer's ability to compete in a four day event, week in week out. It is rare now a days to see a top golfer as out of shape as Lowry. I doubt there would be sanction if we were discussing a footballer or any other athlete so I'm not sure why discussion of a professional golfers weight should be different, it impacts how a golfer swings and plays.

Exactly. He had a swing catered to his body at whatever time he/his coaches developed that swing.

Example of this was Monty.. His swing was developed since he had such a big belly - They came up with a swing to suit this.

Same with Lowry...Change in body shape can 100% affect his swing.

slave1

davo10 wrote: »

When he lived in Carton a few years ago, he partied a lot....

FYP:P

Spideog Rua

https://www.irishgolfdesk.com/news-files/2018/7/23/lowry-takes-on-his-brother-as-stand-in-caddie

Edna_Ennky

Shane Lowry to have his younger brother Alan on the bag for the next 4 weeks on the PGA Tour. A decision on a more permanent caddie will be made once he returns from America with his team.

Russman

TheRiverman wrote: »

I think he has never fully got over finishing second in the 2016 US Open.Hope he can turn his poor form around.

I think there could well be a lot of truth in that, it really seemed to hit him hard. Hopefully its not the case.

Dbu

Not the first guy to struggle with a move to the states.
Probably should return fully to the European tour next year and move back home.

He is too good to be away for a long time. Needs pro caddie though, so sticking the younger brother on the bag is a kind of write off rest of year in my opinion.

GreeBo

Do we know who left who between Lowry and Byrne?

benny79

I think they just decided to take a break from each other for a while no falling out and might resume back. A change of scenery is as good as a rest as they say!

Spideog Rua

Dbu wrote: »

Not the first guy to struggle with a move to the states.
Probably should return fully to the European tour next year and move back home.

He is too good to be away for a long time. Needs pro caddie though, so sticking the younger brother on the bag is a kind of write off rest of year in my opinion.

His brother is supposed to be quite the golfer, and might give him the bump he needs..especially on putting.

Dbu

Spideog Rua wrote: »

His brother is supposed to be quite the golfer, and might give him the bump he needs..especially on putting.

Yes his brother is a scratch golfer, not a professional caddie though.

Pogue eile

Dbu wrote: »

Needs pro caddie though, so sticking the younger brother on the bag is a kind of write off rest of year in my opinion.

I think he is right to be honest, far worse to make a hasty decision that he would later regret, no need for a panic appointment and as has been pointed out he does look a little disillusioned with the game at the minute so a more relaxed approach with his brother on the bag might remove the shackles somewhat.

The 100/1 might be just worth a little nibble for snetimental sake

Golfgorfield

Dbu wrote: »

Not the first guy to struggle with a move to the states.
Probably should return fully to the European tour next year and move back home.

He is too good to be away for a long time. Needs pro caddie though, so sticking the younger brother on the bag is a kind of write off rest of year in my opinion.

You prob said Harrington needs a pro caddy when he took on Ronan, and won 3 majors in the next 18mths.
Caddy prowess is very overrated, most important thing is normality and basically good company.
remember Shane and Dermot Byrne have lived in each others pockets for 9 years