During his third round at the US Open on Saturday, Shane Lowry's mind was not totally obsessed with the Oakmont course - rated as one of the toughest in golf.
His thoughts were also on the Connacht Football Championship and the result between Galway and Mayo. According to Irish golf writer Brian Keogh, Lowry looked shocked upon hearing news of Mayo's surprise defeat. That was just minutes before he birdied the 12th.
Today, as he waited out the seven hours between finishing that third round this morning and beginning his final round at 8:30pm Irish time, his mind was again on GAA.
GAA Go has been a godsend for the Offaly man.
He told Sky Sports:
I was at watching the GAA that's on back home. I was a bit restless, up and down, out of the seat walking around the house. A little bit nervous bit it's only natural. Really can't wait to hit that first tee-shot and get going.
Lowry also received encouragement from some previous Irish major winners.
I had a lovely text off him [Padraig Harrington] there now, I'll tell you later on what it said. Lovely text off him, lovely text off G-Mac aswell.
Lowry did not mention a text from Rory McIlroy, but he did get a tweet.
Best of luck to @ShaneLowryGolf today... Bring that trophy back to these shores and give Brendan the best Father's Day gift of all! ☘🏆
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) June 19, 2016
You can watch Lowry's interview on Sky Sports below.
