Over a year has passed since Shane Lowry and his 11 European teammates tasted Ryder Cup glory in Italy, a week which he reflects on as the best in his career.
Luke Donald's team were absolutely terrific throughout the event in Rome, ultimately running out a 16.5-11.5 win against the USA at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.
It was exactly what Europe needed, having been hammered 19-9 by the hosts just two years prior in what was their heaviest defeat dating back to 1967.
Lowry, alongside Rory McIlroy and some other European stalwarts, was on the end of the emphatic defeat at Whistling Straits and had been under pressure to put things right.
The 2019 Open winner picked up a point for Europe on the Thursday, combining with Sepp Straka to upset Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa before adding another half-point against Jordan Spieth to help close out the win.
He was somewhat of a cheerleader too, passionately celebrating his teammates shots and motivating them in between swings when on the sidelines.
Shane Lowry claims disrespect from US journalist motivated him in Ryder Cup win
The event was an emotional affair for Europe, with their captain setting the mood right at the start of the week.
Donald, who since has been kept on as captain for a second Ryder Cup, told his players to wait in their rooms for a gift at 5pm on the Monday ahead of the event.
That gift for each player was a video from people close to them, wishing them well and sharing their pride to the 12 European representatives ahead of their bid to reclaim the trophy from Team USA.
It proved a motivational masterstroke, with Lowry's parents, Brendan and Bridget, featuring in his heart-touching present.
Speaking in a new the new documentary Una Famiglia: Team Europe's Story, which is now available on the Ryder Cup YouTube channel, Lowry reflected on the lead-up to his team's win.
My video was from my parents," Lowry said.
"They talked about how proud they were of me and what it means to them to have me on that stage and... yeah... it was an unbelievable start to the week."
Lowry then revealed that a US journalist laughed at him when he admitted to crying after watching the emotional video of his parents.
The Clara man, who was as amped up as anyone over the weekend, admitted that the reporter's unsympathetic response lit a fire in him to help Team Europe to Ryder Cup glory.
'I actually remember getting laughed at by a US journalist because I told him that I cried," Lowry added.
"That definitely adds fuel to the fire."
Reliving the most enjoyable week of my career. Watch now on the Ryder Cup YouTube channel ☘️🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/rWzwC2cI5t
— Shane Lowry (@ShaneLowryGolf) December 3, 2024
It certainly proved a good incentive for Lowry, who will be keen to remain in the reckoning when the event lands in New York in September of 2025.
He will certainly see The Open as an oportunity to stake his claim, with the famed major event due to return to Royal Portrush in Country Antrim - the venue of his 2019 success.
