Lowry in dreamland

"Myself and the big man ready to roll. #par3 #augusta" Shane Lowry pictured with his father Brendan before the Par-3 Contest on the eve of the 2015 Masters where he is making his debut. Picture via Twitter.com/ShaneLowryGolf

Shane Lowry has been left speechless by the magic of the Masters. But while the Clara star is also keen to make his voice heard when the action starts today, he knows that he has to accept that he won’t get everything right on his first competitive trip around Augusta National.

“It’s been great,” Lowry said.“It’s one of the most amazing places I’ve ever been. 

“I’ve got a few friends and family over here and I’m playing in the Par-3 this afternoon with my dad as caddie, so that’s going to be cool. It’s one of those weeks where it’s hard to explain in words how good it actually is.”

Lowry didn't return a card in the Par-3 — he shot an unofficial, three over 30 — but he was loving every minute as he got set to become the 14th Irishmen to play in the Masters today.

“I just played nine holes with Jimmy Walker this morning and it’s only his second time here,” said the 28-year old, who has played 45 holes in practice - nine on Sunday, 18 on Monday, nine on Tuesday and nine yesterday.

“I’ve got a feel for the place now and I’m enjoying every minute. We were saying that even though it’s your first time here, you feel like you know the golf course because you’ve watching it a hundred times on TV. 

“You see every hole on TV. It’s a bit surreal being out there playing. But I feel like I’m playing okay and I just want to get myself into a mind-set where I’m enjoying the occasion but I’m trying to play well as well.

“I’ve just been trying to treat it as another week and trying to figure it out for myself. I played a good few holes on my own and took my time around the greens and stuff, just trying to work out what’s there. 

“I’m sure there’ll be times in the week where I short side myself – it’s one of those when if I knew the course better I wouldn’t be hitting it there, but that’s just the way it is and hopefully I can play okay and see what happens come the weekend.”

The Clara man tees off with 1998 champion Mark O'Meara and former Walker Cup player Chris Kirk at 5.30pm Irish time.