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

Trampas

With Shane going to be starting his first full year on the tour what does he need to do to make him a better golfer?

I see he is 121st in scrambling so I guess his short game needs a touch up.

I say fitness is a key also.

Thankfully he has exemptions which should take some pressure of his game to allow his improve areas of his game he feels need strengthening.

MOD EDIT: Zero discussions around Shane's weight or body shape, any such posts will result in warnings, thank you

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Alf Veedersane

I would think he's weighed it all up.

If he's not going to have too many breaks at the end of the season, he might as well take the time now to recharge.

He had 3 months off at the end of last year/start of this year and returned with a top 20 at the WGC Cadillac.

He's well advised and he knows there's a balance to be struck.

First Up

benny79 wrote: »

Agree strike when the iron is hot and all that! Its hard to do well the following week after a big win fair enough, but to take 6 weeks off in mid season is a bit ridiculous imo.

I wonder how his sponsors feel about it. If he is using a good chunk of the time for sponsor related work they may be ok with it but if he plans six weeks of "having the craic" as he puts it himself, it won't help when his next contract comes up.

AGC

First Up wrote: »

I wonder how his sponsors feel about it. If he is using a good chunk of the time for sponsor related work they may be ok with it but if he plans six weeks of "having the craic" as he puts it himself, it won't help when his next contract comes up.

He is just outside the top 20 in the world, has a WGC under his belt which he got massive publicity for, likely to make a big push on Ryder Cup, I think his sponsors will be ok!

Alf Veedersane

First Up wrote: »

I wonder how his sponsors feel about it. If he is using a good chunk of the time for sponsor related work they may be ok with it but if he plans six weeks of "having the craic" as he puts it himself, it won't help when his next contract comes up.

They'd probably prefer if he performed at the business end of the season.

besides, with what his win at Bridgestone offers them in terms of exposure in the next few years, they're not likely to quibble over a short break.

If he went 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off for the next 3 months, no one would bat an eyelid.

yipsnomore

First Up wrote: »

I wonder how his sponsors feel about it. If he is using a good chunk of the time for sponsor related work they may be ok with it but if he plans six weeks of "having the craic" as he puts it himself, it won't help when his next contract comes up.

Thought this second guessing of the way he does things might stop after winning a WGC. You seem to think he's stupid.

Dr.Rieux

I would have assumed this break was planned into his season since the beginning, if so it would make sense to not change it based on assuming he'd be on some form of hot streak after winning the Bridgestone. Keep to his planned season goals

First Up

yipsnomore wrote: »

Thought this second guessing of the way he does things might stop after winning a WGC. You seem to think he's stupid.

I think it is perfectly reasonable to question his priorities. Six weeks away from competition can't help his sharpness. There is no better time to maximise the benefit to his sponsors than the period right after winning the WGC. I doubt they will be impressed if he spends it going to hurling matches and running a big bar tab in Esker Hills.

I suspect his conversations with Conor Ridge must be interesting.

Alf Veedersane

First Up wrote: »

I think it is perfectly reasonable to question his priorities. Six weeks away from competition can't help his sharpness.

There's not much point being sharp if you're too tired to perform. He has a busy schedule at the end of the season where he won't be taking breaks that he normally would. So he's prioritised taking his breaks now.

First Up wrote: »

There is no better time to maximise the benefit to his sponsors than the period right after winning the WGC.

Did you see the toll it took at the USPGA? Not much point in being out there peddling your sponsors' gear if you're not in a position to perform well enough.

First Up wrote: »

I doubt they will be impressed if he spends it going to hurling matches and running a big bar tab in Esker Hills.

Good man. Yeah, he'll just spend six weeks on the lash. Sure what else would he be doing?

Ridiculously snide comment to make. The guy takes a break now ahead of a busy schedule in order to be fresh for those tournaments and you come out with this nonsense? Jesus wept.

Ormus

First Up wrote: »

I think it is perfectly reasonable to question his priorities. Six weeks away from competition can't help his sharpness. There is no better time to maximise the benefit to his sponsors than the period right after winning the WGC. I doubt they will be impressed if he spends it going to hurling matches and running a big bar tab in Esker Hills.

I suspect his conversations with Conor Ridge must be interesting.

What's wrong with going to hurling matches? You make it sound like he's taking heroin.

First Up

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

There's not much point being sharp if you're too tired to perform. He has a busy schedule at the end of the season where he won't be taking breaks that he normally would. So he's prioritised taking his breaks now.

Did you see the toll it took at the USPGA? Not much point in being out there peddling your sponsors' gear if you're not in a position to perform well enough.

Good man. Yeah, he'll just spend six weeks on the lash. Sure what else would he be doing?

Ridiculously snide comment to make. The guy takes a break now ahead of a busy schedule in order to be fresh for those tournaments and you come out with this nonsense? Jesus wept.

No professional sportsperson, especially one competing at the highest level can justify a six week break at the height of the season.

The PGA was a few days after his win and fatigue and distraction was understanable. Will he still be knackered in two or three weeks? If so - why?

There is nothing snide in my remarks. I'm comparing his behaviour and decisions with those who operate at the top level. I don't know how he will spend the six weeks - I just know it will not be as a professional golfer.

I'm familiar with the importance some of his admirers attach to him being a grand fella. I'm just looking at him as a golfer and how he uses - or doesn't - his obvious abundant talent.

Bluefoam

First Up wrote: »

No professional sportsperson, especially one competing at the highest level can justify a six week break at the height of the season.

The PGA was a few days after his win and fatigue and distraction was understanable. Will he still be knackered in two or three weeks? If so - why?

There is nothing snide in my remarks. I'm comparing his behaviour and decisions with those who operate at the top level. I don't know how he will spend the six weeks - I just know it will not be as a professional golfer.

I'm familiar with the importance some of his admirers attach to him being a grand fella. I'm just looking at him as a golfer and how he uses - or doesn't - his obvious abundant talent.

Maybe he just doesn't want to play for the next 6 weeks... Maybe he wants to spend some of his winnings enjoying himself...

Fair ****s to him! Whatever his reasons, I hope he enjoys it, just as we've enjoyed following him so far... Whatever he's doing is obviously working, so he doesn't need to be a carbon copy of the others out there...

kiers47

Im pretty sure the reason for the break is down to the lack of events worth playing. So probably just using it for some relaxing time off.

He is not eligible for the Fed Ex cup which rules out the PGA tour.
The European tour has maybe 1 event worth playing in this time so its fairly understandable he doesn't want to play in them. World ranking points will be minimal (as most players will be playing the Fed Ex Cup) and could even be costly to play and perform badly in some of these events.

Alf Veedersane

First Up wrote: »

No professional sportsperson, especially one competing at the highest level can justify a six week break at the height of the season.

The PGA was a few days after his win and fatigue and distraction was understanable. Will he still be knackered in two or three weeks? If so - why?

There is nothing snide in my remarks. I'm comparing his behaviour and decisions with those who operate at the top level. I don't know how he will spend the six weeks - I just know it will not be as a professional golfer.

I'm familiar with the importance some of his admirers attach to him being a grand fella. I'm just looking at him as a golfer and how he uses - or doesn't - his obvious abundant talent.

Now is not the height of the season.

He's not chasing Fed Ex points now just because he's been put in a position to qualify for the Fed Ex Cup. His schedule will have been planned at the start of the season.

The next month has small enough tournaments with little return in terms of points or ranking on the European Tour (Denmark, Czech Rep and Russia). He might be back for the KLM and I don't think he'd be any the worse for it.

Playing every week isn't the definition of being a professional golfer. As with any sport, recovery is key. as is working on elements of his game.

And you didn't just compare his behaviour with others competing at the top. You said he'd be running up a bar tab in Esker Hills for the next while. It is a snide comment whatever way you dress it up.

VRB20

Think alot of people commenting here seem to have missed this fact. But hey why let the facts get in the way of a good old fashioned misinformed rant!!

kiers47 wrote: »

He is not eligible for the Fed Ex cup which rules out the PGA tour.
The European tour has maybe 1 event worth playing in this time so its fairly understandable he doesn't want to play in them. World ranking points will be minimal (as most players will be playing the Fed Ex Cup) and could even be costly to play and perform badly in some of these events.

First Up

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Now is not the height of the season.

He's not chasing Fed Ex points now just because he's been put in a position to qualify for the Fed Ex Cup. His schedule will have been planned at the start of the season.

The next month has small enough tournaments with little return in terms of points or ranking on the European Tour (Denmark, Czech Rep and Russia). He might be back for the KLM and I don't think he'd be any the worse for it.

Playing every week isn't the definition of being a professional golfer. As with any sport, recovery is key. as is working on elements of his game.

And you didn't just compare his behaviour with others competing at the top. You said he'd be running up a bar tab in Esker Hills for the next while. It is a snide comment whatever way you dress it up.

The KLM and Italian Opens are good, prestigious events with a respectable list of past winners. Playing either of them would not be out of place and would keep him sharp for the Dunhill and beyond. Of course he doesn't have to play every week but other than for an injury, do you know many top players who drop out for six weeks in a row?

I said his sponsors would not be happy if he took this time to go to matches and run up a tab (on behalf of his admirers of course.) If he has other plans connected to golf that would be nice.

Alf Veedersane

I don't necessarily think it makes such a massive difference. The next 3/4 weeks are 'dead' weeks anyway. The KLM is the next decent event.

In teh absence of anything other than the Midland Tribune and a radio report, I haven't seen any direct quotes referencing 6 weeks off. It may have been said without having a calendar in front of whoever mentioned the six weeks that was picked up on.

But the point remains that it's pointless to keep playing week in week out to capitalise on a win when it will only be counterproductive.

He's in a good position in the R2D rankings and WGRs at the minute. He'll probably play 7/8 of the last 10 events.

abff

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

If he went 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off for the next 3 months, no one would bat an eyelid.

I don't think anyone is questioning the need to have weeks off in order to avoid burn out. But six weeks in a row would be relatively unusual. Maybe he'll play in the Netherlands and/or Italy, or maybe not.

It's unfortunate that he's missing out on the playoffs because of the way in which the rules work, but maybe it will be a blessing in disguise if he comes back raring to go after an extended break. But I still think he might be better off getting at least one tournament in over the next six weeks before the final push starts.

But what do I know? I haven't just won $1.57m and jumped into the top twenty in the world rankings. As someone said earlier in this thread, I think Shane has achieved enough to silence the doubters and who are we to second guess how he plans out his season.

PARlance

God help him if he ever wins a Major.

benny79

My point is if he's in form why stop now! but if there's no big events then I see his point in taking a break. but I doubt he'd be sunning himself or topping up the bar. I'm sure he'll be working hard on his game and with his conditioning coach for a strong push for the end of season as he said himself he wants 1 more win before end of the season.

P.s may play a few mid week games in Esker when its quiet, you never know who you might bump into

Alf Veedersane

benny79 wrote: »

My point is if he's in form why stop now! but if there's no big events then I see his point in taking a break. but I doubt he'd be sunning himself or topping up the bar. I'm sure he'll be working hard on his game and with his conditioning coach for a strong push for the end of season as he said himself he wants 1 more win before end of the season.

P.s may play a few mid week games in Esker when its quiet, you never know who you might bump into

Freshness is why he'd stop now.

Mentally and physically it's probably time for a break. He only played 9-holes on Tuesday and same on Wednesday before the USPGA.

The next three events in Europe are worth SFA to him so it's perfect timing.

endabob1

This is the perfect time to take a break, the next 5 events have a combined prize fund that is less than the WGC that he just won.
6 weeks is maybe a bit long but he played 10 in 16 weeks which went;

California, Florida, UK, Dubai, Washington, Germany, Scotland, Scotland, Ohio, Wisconsin.

Fair amount of travel in there & I also suspect he is looking to the end of the season where he will likely play at least 6 tournaments in 8 weeks between the UK China Turkey and Dubai.

vienne86

So is this six week break confirmed?

OffalyMedic

vienne86 wrote:

So is this six week break confirmed?

Was confirmed in the local paper last Wednesday " Midland Tribune" if you can count that as fact

vienne86

shaunac93 wrote: »

Was confirmed in the local paper last Wednesday " Midland Tribune" if you can count that as fact

Hmmmm. We'll see if we hear it anywhere else - it's sure to come up for discussion by some journalist.

benny79

I this note. I hate the way the majors are so close together & most the big Tournaments, to have 6 weeks in the middle of the season without any big Tournaments is ridiculous! Not to mention the fact we have to wait 8 months now to the next major

you would think the powers at be would spread them out more.

First Up

benny79 wrote: »

I this note. I hate the way the majors are so close together & most the big Tournaments, to have 6 weeks in the middle of the season without any big Tournaments is ridiculous! Not to mention the fact we have to wait 8 months now to the next major you would think the powers at be would spread them out more.

If you are referring to me, no I wouldn't.

HighLine

benny79 wrote: »

I this note. I hate the way the majors are so close together & most the big Tournaments, to have 6 weeks in the middle of the season without any big Tournaments is ridiculous! Not to mention the fact we have to wait 8 months now to the next major you would think the powers at be would spread them out more.

The FedEx playoffs start in one week! Every year on here seems to be little interest in this for some reason... it's like the mini world cup of golf.....the weakest get eliminated week by week for a final 30 person shootout to win $10,000,000.

Trust me.... these events are big.

benny79

HighLine wrote: »

The FedEx playoffs start in one week! Every year on here seems to be little interest in this for some reason... it's like the mini world cup of golf.....the weakest get eliminated week by week for a final 30 person shootout to win $10,000,000.

Trust me.... these events are big.

Agree, but they wouldn't be as popular or as interesting as the Majors or WGE's IMO.

Speak Now

Could be a smart move taking a decent break this time of the year as he probably wont have his usual winter break.

As well as the busy end to the season leading to Dubai he'll surely be in the Nedbank again or even Tigers event with his high world ranking.

Will also surely head of the Hawaii for new years as well for the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in the PGA tour. Winners only so 30 or 40 players. He can travel with Harrington

PARlance

Shane was fairly letting the hair down in Cassidy's after the Mayo Dublin match. Dancing on tables the mad yoke.

No doubt it'll be the future reason for his next slump for some.
I think it's great to see a pro combining a good attitude towards life and golf.

Plenty of videos online.