Irish golfer Shane Lowry has displayed his sense of humor as he revealed his take on Oakmont’s challenges. Oakmont Country Club is one of the hardest golf courses in the world, and it takes all three key elements to survive: narrow fairways, thick rough, and greens that roll faster than most players are used to. Many golfers walk off the course frustrated and tired, but Lowry chose to see the humorous side of it.
Shane Lowry led by four shots after three rounds of the event at the track nine years ago, but he had a disappointing experience in the build-up. The European Ryder Cup ace is presently competing at the Memorial Tournament. However, he gave a humorous insight into his first brush with the venue in Pennsylvania after his opening round at Muirfield Village.
“You could hit a perfect shot and still end up in trouble,” Lowry said with a cheeky smile. “I think the course has a grudge against me!”
Despite its humorous nature, that one comment captured how tough Oakmont can be and how Lowry deals with it. While others struggle with the pressure, Lowry finds a way to stay relaxed. This wasn’t the first time Lowry used humor to handle stress. Over the years, he’s become known for keeping things light. He talks to fans, jokes with his caddie, and doesn’t let mistakes ruin his day. This is one of the reasons fans enjoy watching him.
The Oakmont course doesn’t forgive mistakes. Players who miss a putt by an inch might end up three feet past the hole. And the ball might disappear in thick grass if players miss the fairway. Lowry revealed the simple strategy that he used to tackle the difficulty.
“I’ve got a good story about that,” he revealed. “The first time I played Oakmont was the Sunday before the US Open 2016. My coach was with me and we teed off on 10. We got around to 14, which is up beside the clubhouse, and I walked in. And I sat there in the locker room going: “I have no idea how I’m going to play golf around this place.”
It appears that the mindset has worked for him over the years. While other players got stuck in frustration, Lowry kept moving forward. He didn’t have the lowest score, but he stayed focused and stayed in the game. Lowry’s humor didn’t change the course, but it changed how people saw it. Oakmont may be brutal, but Lowry has learned how to handle it with humor. And that could be all you need to get through a tough round sometimes.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!