Lowry's great escape
Shane Lowry can give the Ladbrokes.com Irish PGA a massive boost if he joins Padraig Harrington at the European Club in July.
But the surprise Irish Open winner is totally focussed on his pro debut in the European Open at The London Club today.
And he confessed that he can’t wait to escape the off-course pressures and let his golf do the talking instead.
Speaking at his third major news conference in the space of ten days, Lowry said: “It’s been madness over the last couple of weeks. I am just starting to calm down now.
"I just can’t wait to get out on the golf course to be honest. It is a lot more peaceful out there.”
Lowry has been congratulated by a host of top Irish personalities from President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Brian Cowen to tour stars Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke.
But his hectic off-course activities have left him under-prepared for his first big event as a professional.
He played just five holes with his father Brendan last week and another seven with his girlfriend on Saturday evening before getting his first look at The London Club track on Tuesday.
He did some more practice yesterday but after a chat with his manager Conor Ridge he opted to turn down the chance to play in the pre-tournament pro-am with the likes of Formula 1 ace Lewis Hamilton.
Lowry said: “Conor felt it was in my best interest not to do it and just chill out for the day. With all the hype that has gone on it would have been a lot."
Ridge has wrapped his latest signing in cotton wool since they linked up less than a week ago and decided the Irish Open champion wouldn’t be taking up the offer of lift to London on a private jet chartered by Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy and McDowell weren’t arriving in London until Tuesday night and Lowry revealed that he would have turned down the offer anyway.
Lowry said: "What would it look like? I think the media would have a field day with that one, to be honest.
"I didn't even hear about it until I landed here yesterday. Obviously I wouldn't have taken it up."
The Offaly ace, 22, will play next week’s Celtic Manor Wales Open before heading to Sunningdale to try and secure one of 10 qualifying spots into the Open at Turnberry.
If he makes it he could turn down the chance to win €630,000 in the Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond by battling Harrington for a top prize of just €5,000 in the Irish PGA in Wicklow.
Ridge said: “If he qualified for the Open, obviously it would be good links practice for him before going up to Turnberry and if it's good enough for Padraig Harrington it’s got to be good enough for Shane too.”
The Irish PGA had a €70,000 prize fund last year but the money on offer could be as low as €30,000 this term as Harrington seeks the perfect build up to his bid for a hat-trick of Claret Jugs the following week.
PGA Irish Region secretary Michael McCumiskey said: "To have both Padraig and Shane playing would be a real boost for the tournament. We are still looking for some funding for it and that would be a big help.”