US Open: Rory McIlroy’s Masters win inspiring Shane Lowry to ‘kick on’

Lowry and McIlroy played nine holes together on Wednesday morning to prepare for the start of the tournament on Thursday.

They have been paired together for the opening two rounds at Oakmont, along with fellow European Ryder Cup player, and former US Open Champion Justin Rose.

“We are also practicing with each other again tomorrow so we will be sick of the sight of each other by Friday!” joked Lowry.

“Hopefully we can both play well and give ourselves a run at the weekend. The last few times I have played with Rory I have played pretty good. I played the first two rounds of Bayhill this year, I was well up there.

“I love playing with Rory, and with Justin we have a great group and everyone gets on well, but when you are out there there’s not too much chit-chat – it’s not much fun but it will be nice with familiar faces.”

Lowry’s form this season has been impressive, finishing runner up twice on the PGA Tour and surging to a career best 10th place in the world rankings.

Currently ranked 12th, his US Open pedigree is also undeniable. At Oakmont in 2016, he surged to a four-shot lead entering the final round, only to stumble with a Sunday round of 76, finishing tied for second behind Dustin Johnson.

He also tied ninth at Chambers Bay in 2015, further underlining his ability to challenge on the US Open’s renowned gruelling set-ups.

Oakmont has tight fairways, penal rough, and lightning-fast greens which many believe make it the world’s toughest golf course and the ultimate US Open venue – but Lowry is buzzing with anticipation.

“It’s mentally going to be very difficult,” added Lowry.

“I think for me, on the eye, it’s less daunting than other courses we play. There’s not much trouble other than rough and the greens, there are not many hazards, you are not standing on many tee boxes with water hazards down the fairways or coming into greens,” he explained.

“It’s a proper US Open test and growing up wanting to play US Opens and watching US Opens on TV this is what it was. This is what a US Open is about and I always get excited coming to these venues.”