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

slave1

Steady start for Shane, looking good with his striking

Mantis Toboggan

On the charge, leads by 4

woodyg

4 birdies and single bogey is a very good front 9 today.
his first dropped shot on any par 3 this week so far which is a shame.

-3\-4 under for the day would be a really solid position for tomorrow's last day

ready4liftoff

Mantis Toboggan wrote: »

On the charge, leads by 4

A win for the Offaly man this week, would potentially move him to the world's top 40. He is currently not exempt for the Masters or the Open Championship at Royal Portrush. A win in Abu Dhabi would change all that. Fingers crossed!

slave1

Big difference today is he's had 3 long snake putts which is usually a weakness

spacecoyote

Sterne pitched in for eagle to cut the lead to 2

Old diesel

slave1 wrote: »

Big difference today is he's had 3 long snake putts which is usually a weakness

You mean he has performed a type of putt very well that's normally one he struggles with?????.

So his snake putts are actually a positive of today

slave1

Another par 3 birdie for Shane, unreal performance on par 3's this week

woodyg

lovely stuff -4 now.
his short iron's have been quality this week, which is giving him so many birdie chances on the par3's

Old diesel

Huge opportunity for either Lowry or Sterne here.

Both have the opportunity of a win that gets their 2019 off to a great start in their OWN hands.

woodyg

another birdie on a par 3!

par his way home now and he will be -17 for the tournament which would put him in great spot

Old diesel

If either Lowry or Sterne struggle tomorrow - the likes of Poulter aren't far away either.

woodyg

great finish on 18th with that birdie putt that's a seriously impressive round today -5 (-17) put's him in a great spot for tomorrow.

GreeBo

the_blackstuff wrote: »

Who's and the bag for Shane right now? Don recognise him.

I can tell you that its not his brother.

GreeBo

GreeBo wrote: »

I can tell you that its not his brother.

Irishman Brian "Bo" Martin, who has caddied for the likes of Gary Murphy and Peter Lawrie and helped Frenchman Alex Levy and Dane Lucas Bjerregaard win in Portugal in 2014 and 2017 respectively, takes over full time.

Mantis Toboggan

Huge opportunity tomorrow.

slave1

Poulter and Sterne helped close the gap with eagles, hopefully tomorrow will be about patience and let it happen and not panic if lead slips.
His WGC win will help him mentally (not the US Open though)....

Also going to be very windy tomorrow

Mantis Toboggan

slave1 wrote: »

Also going to be very windy tomorrow

Lowry is the right man for the wind.

JohnnyFlash

He’s a lovely natural golfer when he gets in his groove. Plenty of raw talent there.

Mars Bar

the_blackstuff wrote: »

Who's and the bag for Shane right now? Don recognise him.

His caddie was busy. Not afraid to tell the crowd to stop moving and be quiet. Also requested a few times for phones to be put away.

My feet are killing me now but really enjoyable day. So many Irish there that it must have felt like a home course for Lowry.

Miley Byrne

GreeBo wrote: »

I can tell you that its not his brother.

That would have been handy to know if he asked who wasn't on the bag

:rolleyes:

GreeBo

Mantis Toboggan wrote: »

Lowry is the right man for the wind.

Must be something in his diet!
:pac:

GreeBo

Mars Bar wrote: »

His caddie was busy. Not afraid to tell the crowd to stop moving and be quiet. Also requested a few times for phones to be put away.

Great to see him back with an experienced, full time caddy.

Ridiculous scoring on the par 3's so far, probably won't continue if the wind picks up, but he shouldn't need to go low, 69 and I'd say it's in the bag and an excellent start to the season for him.

Putting has been immense.

GreeBo

Miley Byrne wrote: »

That would have been handy to know if he asked who wasn't on the bag

:rolleyes:

Its a process of elimination, you gotta start somewhere.
:rolleyes: x 2

Trampas

Is it not Clarke since he’s retired from main tour?

Shane’s to lose tomorrow

First Up

Trampas wrote:

Shane’s to lose tomorrow

Steady as he goes. He has been very impressive the last three days so he knows he can beat that course (which is all he has to do.)

He seems to be in a good place, with family around him and focusing on the European Tour has to be easier than trying to play both sides of the pond. Looks fitter too.

Trampas

First Up wrote: »

Steady as he goes. He has been very impressive the last three days so he knows he can beat that course (which is all he has to do.)

He seems to be in a good place, with family around him and focusing on the European Tour has to be easier than trying to play both sides of the pond. Looks fitter too.

3 and 5 shots clear for top 80 player in the world. You’d have to expect he’d win. Anything else you’d be disappointed. First few holes will be important for Shane. Gets through first 4/5 holes par or 1 under would be perfect for him

Trampas

Good bird on 1st but a little hookie with both tee shots. Get the drive under control should walk it

First Up

Sterne asking some hard questions.

Hoof Hearted2

First Up wrote: »

Sterne asking some hard questions.

He'd be better off concentrating on his golf than asking questions.

HighLine

Big mistake there from Shane unfortunately. Gonna be 2/3 shots behind after this hole.

Trampas

It’ll do Shane good to win it with some challenge on the mental side of things. Get rid of the scares from us open

FixdePitchmark

Sit down to watch first real golf of year with an Irish chance.

First drive one of worst shots I've ever seen Shane play on TV.

FixdePitchmark

In fact where it dropped doesn't look too bad versus original drive.

First Up

Hoof Hearted2 wrote:

He'd be better off concentrating on his golf than asking questions.

I don't think you quite understood my post......

munsterlegend

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

In fact where it dropped doesn't look too bad versus original drive.

Based on first nine holes hard to see Lowry winning unless Sterne does something silly.

FixdePitchmark

Not over yet

Real pressure on sterne now

HighLine

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Not over yet

Real pressure on sterne now

3 behind and 1 over for the front 9 whilst his playing partner is 5 under thru 9.... big ask now. Sterne won't bottle it.

munsterlegend

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Not over yet

Real pressure on sterne now

Love your optimism but Lowry playing poorly today.

kerosene

the_blackstuff wrote: »

Who's and the bag for Shane right now? Don recognise him.

Brian Martin from Ardglass, Co Down.

Hoof Hearted2

First Up wrote: »

Sterne asking some hard questions.

First Up wrote: »

I don't think you quite understood my post......

I don't think you quite understood your post!

It's a golf tournament, not a quiz.

IrishHomer

Such a shame for Lowry.

If he won he was getting automatic entry to all this year's majors and us PGA etc. Would been in top 50 rankings. All out the window now

First Up

Hoof Hearted2 wrote:

It's a golf tournament, not a quiz.

Its a test.

HighLine

And that's all she wrote. Shame. Great 3 days golf though so hopefully it's the start of a good season.

Hoof Hearted2

HighLine wrote: »

3 behind and 1 over for the front 9 whilst his playing partner is 5 under thru 9.... big ask now. Sterne won't bottle it.

+1
Sterney has only 2 bogies in 63 holes, Shane would have to shoot at least 4 under on the back nine to have any chance, not going to happen given his form so far today, it's all over bar the shouting.

Joe_ Public

Never over till it’s over but sterne hasn’t dropped a shot on back 9 all week, now’d be a good time to start!

Hoof Hearted2

First Up wrote: »

Its a test.

Eh not really no, it's more like, eh, y'know a competition kind of thingy.

munsterlegend

Lowey having a nightmare day it seems. Will be lucky to get second the way he is going.

First Up

Hoof Hearted2 wrote:

Eh not really no, it's more like, eh, y'know a competition kind of thingy.

Oh dear.

munsterlegend

Lowey’s driving really letting him down.