Shane Lowry sets 'mind' on 2023 Masters ahead of busiest ever year

SHANE Lowry is playing in the Bahamas this week and is anticipating that 2023 will be one of his busiest years ever.

The 2019 Open champion was at home last week in advance of the opening of the new bar and restaurant he has developed in Tullamore with Alan Clancy, the Old Warehouse on Bury Quay.

Speaking on Saturday he explained: “I came home on Thursday from Florida. I flew Dubai to Florida and then Florida back here and I'm back in the States tomorrow (Sunday, November 27). So I'm busy.”

He tees off in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas this Thursday, an event hosted by Tiger Woods and which attracts a top-class field.

Lowry is making his debut in the tournament which was won by another debutant, Viktor Hovland, last year.

The Clara man has been paired with Canadian Corey Connors for the opening round on Thursday morning.

After that, the 35-year-old golfer expects to be home for Christmas and on January 13 he will team up with Seamus Power to join the Great Britain and Ireland side which faces Continental Europe in the inaugural Hero Cup at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

The teams were announced by European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald and the Abu Dhabi competition will help him plan the battle with America in Rome late next year.

Asked about his plans for next year, Lowry said the Ryder Cup “is the big one” but he has other big tournaments to be thinking about.

“The Masters is the first one on my mind so that's where my focus is at the minute,” he said.

“I'm in the middle of two seasons. I'm playing next week but it is a bit of a pre-season trying to get ready for next year. Next year is going to be a very busy year.

“It'll be busier than before [because] we have to play a certain amount of tournaments now. So I'm playing a lot more than I normally would in a short period of time. It's the way it's scheduled. It will be demanding but it will be exciting.”

He indicated he has no complaints about the hectic calendar. “It could be worse!” he laughed.

In September Lowry won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, his most significant victory since his triumph at the British Open at Royal Portrush. He tied for third place at the US Masters in Augusta in 2022.