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

AyeGer · 23-01-2023 12:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120143532#Comment_120143532

That seems to be the way on here with Irish golfers. You can only compliment them. No criticism or negativity allowed.

coillcam · 23-01-2023 1:01pm

He'll be fairly disappointed with his final round I'd hope there are no lingering effects from it. For R3 he could have had 1-2 more birdies to hold the outright lead. I thought that he was too far behind to win when the wheels came off. The bogeys on the front 9 dented any early momentum.

I didn't realise it but he was #1 for GIR% last year on the DP tour but #178 for putts per GIR. Although it's a smaller number of events vs PGA tour. He was 9th in SG Approach on PGA Tour by comparison but well down on SG putting #115 (.007 inside tour average).

Any improvement or purple patch in putting and he's lifting some more silverware. Long season ahead.

eagle eye · 23-01-2023 2:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120143753#Comment_120143753

I'm a lot more older than Padraig Harrington too and the old man reference is still fitting. It's a reference to his age in comparison to his fellow competitors and I can't believe you don't understand that.

And criticising Shane for having an awful round is fair too. You don't have to idolise the guy all the time even if you are a huge fan of the man like I am.

You might note if/before you respond to my post that the only negative comments I've ever posted in this thread were about his par five performance over the last couple of years which I felt were holding him back. It looks like he has fixed that now and I haven't posted about it in quite a while as a result.

slave1 · 23-01-2023 2:20pm

Attack the post folks, not the poster, we're all entitled to our opinions

Motivator · 23-01-2023 4:25pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120143532#Comment_120143532

I’m not a huge fan of Lowry, I want him to well because he’s Irish but that’s about it.

I was more concerned with the nonsense of what you were saying, rather than who you were saying it about.

boardise · 24-01-2023 2:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120146751#Comment_120146751

Ok , I get your distinction . What I'm really struggling to understand is how my humble inoffensive post can be characterised as 'nonsense'.

I said Shane 's round had imploded. If going 6 over in 4 holes isn't an implosion I don't know what is. Other posters referred to this stretch , as a 'collapse' , a 'meltdown' and a 'capitulation' -equally valid descriptions .

I then gave a factual statistic which hardly qualifies as 'nonsense'. My reference to 'old man Harrington' was simply a light-hearted jest of the kind that most people would readily understand . I know attempts at humour are risky on a forum ....but 'nonsense' ? Wouldn't think so.

I may not be the most informed contributor but I have to reject any suggestion that anything I post here is 'nonsense. I have no wish to get involved in any sort of acrimonious exchanges and try to bear goodwill to everyone. After all we're united sportsmen/women who want our Irish stars to do well. Nobody would be more thrilled than me if our Irish golfers Harrington, Lowry ,Maguire, McIlroy, Meadows and Power (NB alphabetical order !) were to mop up more titles and majors .They've done us proud already .

abff · 25-01-2023 8:08am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120145884#Comment_120145884

What makes you think that I didn’t understand the point you were making about Padraig’s age? My remark about being a lot older than Padraig was clearly tongue in cheek. I can’t believe you didn’t understand that.

I’m not a great fan of people using sarcasm to try and make a point.

eagle eye · 25-01-2023 11:07am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120154278#Comment_120154278

I didn't make the comment. My only post was a response to your post which came across as serious. Maybe use smileys or exclamation marks etc. to show you are having a bit of fun.

abff · 25-01-2023 12:10pm

Fair enough. I should have checked to whom I was responding. It didn’t occur to me that anyone would think that I’d actually take offence at a comment about Padraig’s age. 😁🧌

coillcam · 27-01-2023 10:05am

Flicked on the coverage briefly this morning to see Shane stick a pured iron to 5ft on the par 3 7th. Unfortunately he didn't make it.

However, it didn't fluster Lowry. Next two drives were absolutely perfect and his approach just now on 9 was excellent too. I know he's only half way through a delayed R1 but I'd love to see that putter warm up.

CMcsporty · 27-01-2023 10:36am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120145602#Comment_120145602

Those irons were red hot in the early part of last year and key to how well he played at The Masters.

His iron play was elite. He ranked 1st in SG approach heading to Augusta...1st!

I can also see him winning this season if he keeps the irons going.

Irons and putting in a Major & he'll be there or thereabouts.

slave1 · 27-01-2023 11:35am

Rest of his game is fine, it's his hot/cold putter that determines everything, he's acknowledged this himself many times over the years

SuprSi · 27-01-2023 12:05pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120164306#Comment_120164306

I presume he has a putting coach?

coillcam · 27-01-2023 1:07pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120164452#Comment_120164452

Stephen Sweeney is his putting coach, he's Irish too. The same lad as Morikawa recently brought on board.

Trampas · 28-01-2023 8:11am

And just like that he’s on his way to the airport

Trampas · 28-01-2023 10:17am

His head appeared to be in meltdown. Appeared he told Molinari to go ahead while he took a a moment and next thing he hits another shot.

It will take a few weeks to get over his desert swing I would guess no matter what he says to media.

boardise · 28-01-2023 3:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120168692#Comment_120168692

On his quad bike ! 😏

TheRiverman · 28-01-2023 3:44pm

Absolute crap start to the year. Shane needs to stop talking to media about how he feels about his game.This usually consists of him talking it up. He is a very inconsistent player who needs to get his head down to try and sort that out.

Mantis Toboggan · 28-01-2023 5:56pm

Poor start to the year, by no means a cert for the Ryder cup and needs to put the foot down.

Heighway61 · 31-01-2023 9:05am

So Shane and Beau are no more

Xander10 · 31-01-2023 9:26am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120180749#Comment_120180749

Interesting. It must have weighed on his mind these last few weeks.

Personally, I liked to see him pick a more disciplined replacement than a Guinness guzzling buddy.

benny79 · 31-01-2023 9:44am

I actually taught they were a good team helped him keep his head when he won The Open! I wonder what happened there? They seemed to get on and have a good connection.

Heighway61 · 31-01-2023 9:47am

He reckones the spark is gone and it was on the cards for a while.

https://m.independent.ie/sport/golf/shane-lowry-splits-with-open-winning-caddie-after-loss-of-competitive-spark-42320031.html

Two strong characters

Mushy · 31-01-2023 9:51am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120180825#Comment_120180825

In fairness it seems amicable and so it's just something that ran its course. It happens, and if as reported is true and they talked about it a few weeks back, maybe it should have happened then

PARlance · 31-01-2023 9:57am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120180825#Comment_120180825

They seem to have split amicably based on the Indo article. Seemingly they lost the spark/mojo.

I don't have a clue really but it always struck me that neither of them really enjoy the amount of travel / time on the road / time away from home that comes with being a top golfer / caddy.

TheRiverman · 31-01-2023 9:59am

There were definite signs last year that their professional relationship had run it's course, maybe should have happened then.

slave1 · 31-01-2023 10:19am

That's all well and good but far away fields are always greener, this caddy lifted Shane to new heights, hopefully it's not just press and they part as buddies

Motivator · 31-01-2023 10:27am

I met Bo once or twice and he’s a gent, probably too much of a gent I think when it came to Lowry. He took an awful lot of flak when Lowry spat the dummy out. It happens with every player but seemed to happen quite a lot with them. Bo, despite his appearance, is a young enough chap and has a small child as well so that may have also played a factor. Lowry can afford to have his kids travel with him, his caddy can’t.

Trampas · 31-01-2023 11:27am

Pr company says it was amicable. I wouldn’t expect anything else they’d say. It could have been a screaming match for all we know but company isn’t going to say that.

coillcam · 31-01-2023 2:10pm

I wonder will the brother step in to fill a gap for 1-2 events or if he'll take a seasoned caddy in the interim. Maybe he's already got someone lined up in the background.

No doubt Lowry has huge respect and a great deal of gratitude for Bo's efforts over the years. Sometimes the formula is stale and a shake-up is needed for both sides. Wouldn't be surprised to see Bo take on another gig after a bit of time off.

CMcsporty · 31-01-2023 3:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120169749#Comment_120169749

Most players, certainly the Irish ones, do this. Harrington was a prime example. Even when he had the putting yips!

Lowry major issue is not his caddie. I don't think it's an inconsistency. It's how reacts when things don't go his way.

Shane's game is in good shape overall. This might be just him trying to give himself a reboot up the arse.

Feel sorry for the caddie & they don't get the golden handshake either.

Turfcutter · 31-01-2023 3:25pm

A year ago this would have been a big surprise but in the last few weeks it looks like Shane needs to change things up a bit.

He's still been able to put himself in contention, the talent still burns bright, but some of the fade outs have been worrying.

Mantis Toboggan · 31-01-2023 7:25pm

Surprised it took this long, looked finished last season especially after the few rollickins Lowry gave him in public.

AyeGer · 31-01-2023 10:03pm

I’m available if Shane is in need of a new caddie. 10%

Xander10 · 07-02-2023 11:21pm

Darren Reynolds to caddie for the immediate future. Had a spell before and Lowry said they didn't gel, which makes this news seem a bit strange.

Trampas · 08-02-2023 12:31pm

Strange but opposite attract. Might be a short term to see how it goes

Panrich · 08-02-2023 5:55pm

It can be a very lucrative gig but I’d say you’d want a very thick hide to caddy for Shane. To say he wears his heart on his sleeve is putting it mildly. A very mercurial golfer.

Trampas · 09-02-2023 8:05pm

Not the best of starts

Trampas · 11-02-2023 10:26am

Shane I say would rather not have to turn up on Saturday to finish his round knowing he’ll pretty much miss the cut.

coillcam · 13-02-2023 2:42pm

Three more big purses coming up over the next 4 weeks for the Genesis, Arnold Palmer and Players c'ship. The Honda Classic is in between, where last year Shane was unlucky with the weather turning against him at the wrong time (tbf Straka closed it out well).

Let's see if he turns things around and resets as it's a particularly lucrative run. It's only 8 weeks until The Masters so not a huge amount of time for soul searching. Even so, he was playing some excellent golf in the UAE but for a couple of blow-ups. He's not a million miles off tbh.

dublin49 · 19-02-2023 12:12am

you can see how the frustration would sunder any relationship as happened with Bo.3RD Round battles all day to hold a sub par round together and misses a 3 footer for par on 18 ,Jesus its a nice lifestyle but fxxk me the frustration must be incredible.

Innish_Rebel · 20-02-2023 4:50pm

It seemed like he couldn't buy a putt over the weekend & missed a couple of sitters - but the ball striking looked right back up there... Good to see.

coillcam · 20-02-2023 6:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120265886#Comment_120265886

When he's going well the short ones all drop. The rest of the time he tends to be a bit tentative and it's his only obvious weakness for me. He has length, all the iron shots, wedges, short game and recovery. On Friday he'd a monster eagle on one, and another chip eagle on the back nine but he missed 3 and 5 footers for par. I didn't see them and they could have been awful breaks/pins but that's kind of where he's at. Some truly excellent stuff and a bit of the mundane.

I think Shane and Seamie will both be pleased with decent finishes on a tough course with a fairly stacked field. After changing his caddy and recent results not going his way, it's a nice bounce back for Shane. Power tipping away nicely in Fedex rankings too.

Nice run-in for the masters, hopefully, things only pick up from here on.

Trampas · 23-02-2023 1:35pm

Big week for Shane. Course he came close last year. 3rd highest ranking in field.

dublin49 · 23-02-2023 10:36pm

watched Shane a good bit today ,thought he stayed patient when nothing was dropping and got 2 late birdies one from over 20 feet so a solid start.thats a really weak field this week,Shane wont mind if he picks up a win but I imagine the sponsors wont be happy.

Trampas · 24-02-2023 8:16am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120281258#Comment_120281258

Honda have pulled out of next year so they need a sponsor

blue note · 24-02-2023 8:35am

Why wouldn't the sponsors be happy if he picked up a win?

Trampas · 24-02-2023 9:24am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120282179#Comment_120282179

They were referring to the strength of the field. It’s poor going by normal strength of the field. It’s in the middle of the to many big events. This week is a great week for someone to pick up a win or big finish they might not have if normal strength field. Owgr is 32 points for a win. Half what last few and next few weeks will be. Honda don’t stump up millions for a weak field so decided we won’t be doing it anymore

blue note · 24-02-2023 9:44am

Ah right. I was thinking that the sponsors would be happy to have a star win it as opposed to a lowly ranked player.

coillcam · 24-02-2023 10:46am

@Trampas - that's interesting, looking at the results in the past it had big-name winners. Paddy twice, Rory, Ernie Els, Fowler (big at the time), Adam Scott and JT.

The fields seem to have weakened since Keith Mitchel won in 2019. Not sure what changed at that time. However, like you said the current scheduling means top players are skipping this week for a break before the big money events up next: Arnold Palmer's Invitational ($20m) and The Players ($25m).

Hopefully, this doesn't mean the end of the event as it's a class course. Imagine on Sunday night, nothing in it between the leaders and they have to navigate the bear trap holes 15,16,17 to close out a win. Ideally though, Lowry will be cruising home by 5 shots at that stage 😀.

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

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