Shane Lowry admits thinking back to his heroics at the Ryder Cup will be hard to avoid but he is pleased to be back competing so soon at the Open de España presented by Madrid.
After a one-week break to savour the starring role he played in Team Europe’s historic success at Bethpage, the Irishman is among the headline names in the Spanish capital as he makes the first of back-to-back starts on the DP World Tour.
Lowry, who is confirmed to play at the inaugural DP World India Championship next week, joins Ryder Cup team-mate Jon Rahm at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid and he is hopeful he can draw on his experience and produce a strong performance.
“I have had an amazing week,” he said. “Obviously, what happened is pretty cool, what dreams are made of really.
“I am sure there is going to be a little come down at some stage, but it is nice to be back on the horse here in Spain this week.
“It’s nice to get back out there competing quickly, try and forget about what happened but it will be hard.
“It is something that I never foresaw myself doing. So, you don’t really know how you are going to handle it. Like I said the week of the Ryder Cup, I will just be myself and see how it goes.”
Lowry is making his seventh appearance at Spain’s national open and second in succession after finishing in a tie for 13th on his return after a ten-year absence 12 months ago.
A six-time DP World Tour winner, he is aware he will need to be near his best if he is to mount a title challenge around a venue – described by both Lowry and Rahm in the build-up as “old-school” - that demands precision.
“If I can get through Thursday with a decent round, then you never know,” he said.
“But there is a great field here, a lot of great players. It’s a tricky golf course, you really need to be on your game. You need to have control of your ball so it will take a good golfer to win around here.
“The rough is quite thick here this year and you just need to hit it on the fairways and into the greens.
“It is quite refreshing to play, actually. You don’t have to drive it 350 yards. It’s nice, you need to hit it in play and be precise.”
Five of the last six editions have been won by Spaniards, with Rahm bidding to surpass Seve Ballesteros by claiming the title for a fourth time.
Lowry added: “This is a great tournament and has a great history. To put my name on this trophy with some legends of the game would be cool.”
This year, following a joint announcement by The R&A and Augusta National Golf Club to align aspects of the qualification criteria for The Open and the Masters Tournament, the leading golfer, not otherwise exempt, in Spain will guarantee their spot at each of the two Major Championships.
While already exempt for both, Lowry is in no doubt that move to recognise the importance of the national open will only add to the interest as the event unfolds.
“I think for the people that are not exempt, it's a huge carrot there at the end of the week," he said.
“It will probably bring a bit more pressure than a normal week, but I think a great championship like this deserves it.”
