Lowry had reason for optimism heading into that 2019 Open. He had won early that year in Abu Dhabi and decent form followed. But he also knew it could be a challenging week on home soil.
“It’s funny, I always find Irish Opens quite difficult to go and play in and perform in because I try so hard and expect a lot of myself,” said the man who landed that title as an amateur in 2009.
“Ultimately I want to win. I really, really want to win another one. And to go and play The Open in Portrush was a whole other level of that expectation and that want to succeed.
“But for some reason, it just went well that week for me. I went in there a little bit more under the radar than I normally would.
“Because of Rory and GMac and Clarkie and the Portrush connection there, I felt like I was just able to go up and do my thing.”
He knows returning this time will not have the same dynamic. While Masters champion McIlroy will still be centre of attention, the spotlight will also shine on Lowry.
“The first time in Portrush I felt there was no expectation on me apart from myself and you know it was all a Rory show. But I feel like it’s gonna be a little bit different this time,” he said.
“There will have to be something in place for me to go about my business the way I want because, ultimately, yes, it’s great – I won there last time – but I’m not going to be happy unless I perform again there this time.”
Since that win he has claimed the 2022 BMW PGA title at Wentworth and won last year’s Zurich Classic pairs event with McIlroy on the PGA Tour. Lowry climbed into the world’s top 10 earlier this year and is currently 18th in the standings.
He was ranked 33rd when he lifted the Claret Jug and now a veteran of two Ryder Cups he is clearly a finer player better equipped to deal with the game’s biggest moments than he was in 2019.
He laughed when I put this to him. “You have maybe given me something there, so maybe I’ll use that,” he smiled.
“I always feel like when I go to the Open Championship, if I can rock up mentally in the right place I can achieve something good that week.
“You know, not only that week in Portrush, but even Troon last year (finishing sixth).
“I feel like I didn’t get the best out of myself in Troon, albeit I had a great week, so I’ll figure something out and do my best for this one.”
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