As a proud Irishman, Shane Lowry has had a career that most golfers could only dream of. Not only has he experienced massive success on both the European and PGA Tours, but two of the most memorable moments in his career have come on home soil.
The Clara native announced himself to public in this country by winning the Irish Open back in 2009, the first time in the event's history that an amateur had taken home the top prize.
That would be a big enough triumph for any Irish golfer, but Lowry would go on to eclipse it a decade later. By winning The Open at Royal Portrush, the first time the major had been held on the island of Ireland in almost 70 years, he completed a rather unique double.
He will be hoping that his Irish exploits are not finished there.
Shane Lowry is currently back in Ireland for an extended stretch, something that is a relative rarity considering his commitments on the PGA Tour. He put in a solid display at the Irish Open in Mount Juliet last weekend, rallying back from a poor start to secure a top ten finish.
From there, he would star among a world class field at the JP McManus Pro-Am earlier this week, coming third at Adare Manor.
It was certainly quite the showcase of golf down in Limerick, giving a taste of what is to come later in the decade. Adare Manor will host the Ryder Cup in 2027, proving this week that it will provide a fitting backdrop for one of golf's showpiece events.
Having got his first taste of the Ryder Cup last year, speaking in his new role as global ambassador for Jameson, Lowry was not shy in admitting his ambition to make the team once again for its Irish return.
"Adare Manor is one of my favourite places to play golf, it's going to be amazing," he said.
"When you look at Ryder Cup venues, you look at the whole package. I think it's going to be incredible.
"I'm going to be 40 when that's on, so I hope I'm still going strong and playing at that level. I hope to be involved playing wise.
"It will be an amazing Ryder Cup and it can't come quick enough to be honest. It's one of those. Last year was a very special experience for me, I talked earlier about eclipsing what I did in Portrush, and I think if I had a chance to do something special in Adare at that Ryder Cup then it might be able to eclipse Portrush.
"Stuff like that I have in my head. They would be long-term goals going forward."
5 July 2022; Shane Lowry chips onto the 18th green during day two of the JP McManus Pro-Am at Adare Manor Golf Club. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
I want to play in it and win it.
It is incredibly difficult to predict what the golfing landscape will look like five years from now. Not only will players come and go over that period, but the emerging presence of LIV Golf on the pro ranks means it is uncertain what players will even be eligible for selection for the Ryder Cup.
That will have little impact on Lowry's ambition of making the team.
Should he manage to do so, he would complete a rather unique hat-trick of major golfing milestones in Ireland.
"I've been very fortunate with what I've done in my career so far," he admits. "I've done those two things in Ireland and they're the biggest moments of my career. Even just competing at that Ryder Cup, but if you got to win one.
"Who knows who is going to be captain, who is going to be involved at that stage, but I hope to be involved. I want to play in it and win it."
Considering the atmosphere on show at Adare earlier this week, you could only imagine the scenes when the European and American teams take to the tee on the first day of that event.
7th July 2022: Shane Lowry pictured at the launch of his ambassadorship with Jameson, at Jameson Distillery, Bow St, Dublin. Two living legends, Shane Lowry and Jameson, are coming together for a three-year global ambassadorship.
Despite the amount of star power on show at the JP McManus Pro-Am, where ten of the world's top 12 players were present, few were a bigger draw than Lowry. He seems to hold a special place in the heart of the Irish public, even those who are not necessarily avid golf fans.
That is not something he takes for granted. Opportunities to play in front of an Irish crowd do not come around for him all that often, but he continues to be taken aback by the support he receives when he does tee it up in front of his most loyal supporters.
"I don't get home as much as I'd like," he said. "I spend a lot of time in America now, so it's great to get home...
"It's just great to be able to go out and compete in front of your home crowd and your friends and family. Honestly, the level of support I got over the last week has been a bit mind-blowing to be honest.
"Obviously Mount Juliet is a bit more serious because you're trying to compete in a big European Tour event, Adare is a bit more laid back but getting cheers onto every tee-box and green is really cool. I've really enjoyed it."
As someone who thrives playing in front of a home crowd, he won't want the pass up the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of doing so in the Ryder Cup.
Should he do so, he will complete the type of Irish golfing hat-trick that is unlikely to ever be matched.
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Jameson is proud to announce Irish professional golfer Shane Lowry as their newest brand ambassador. Two living legends, Shane Lowry and Jameson, are coming together for a three-year global ambassadorship. To find out more about Jameson visit www.jamesonwhiskey.com/en-ie/. Follow the conversation on social #WidenTheCircle @jamesonwhiskey.
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