DUBLIN, Ohio – This was to be a special week for Shane Lowry.
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After his emotional and impressive victory in last year’s Northern Ireland Open Championship, he was scheduled to return to Royal St. George’s for a win round this week.
“I wouldn’t say it’s bittersweet, but it’s strange, as if I were in St. George today probably sitting in the press room there as a defending champion and wondering how I will go out and face that golf course instead of being here in Ohio,” he said. Wednesday at Memorial. “It’s just very strange times for us at the moment, isn’t it?”
Commemorative tournament: full field tee time Full coverage
When R&A canceled this year’s Open in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Memorial was moved to the PGA Tour schedule in its place on the calendar. Although Lowry said he was only happy to play golf again, it was impossible to ignore what might have been.
“I miss the crowds, you miss the kind of buzz, the adrenaline you get from that, and I miss all this,” said Lowry. “I miss being announced on the first tee as the defending champion, but I’m sure I will have it next year. Anything I miss or won’t be able to do this week, I’m sure I will do it next year. “
Earlier this week Lowry was brought back to last year’s Open while he was leafing through the TV guide and found a replay of the 2019 championship on Golf Channel.
“I have never seen him without rapidly advancing and jumping the wrong shots, jumping the lost putts,” he smiled. “I think my dad probably watches him every day. He probably sits at home most nights and looks at him. “
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