Ireland's Shane Lowry has claimed that 2023 was an average golf year for him, and he believes there is a lot of improvement that can be made to his game in 2024.
After finishing third at the 2022 Masters, the Clara man went on to win the BMW Championship. However, his form struggled to replicate his 2022 performances. For example, conversations emerged about Lowry's Ryder Cup place, but he was eventually chosen as one of Europe's wildcards
Lowry has opened up about his year and admitted that his performance in 2023 was below the standard he expected from himself.
"I'd say personally, probably pretty average [year]. Not much bad stuff, not much great stuff, a lot of good, and a lot of OK," he said to RTÉ Sport.
"I always look back, and I was completely dejected after the Masters this year because I felt like I hit the ball well enough to win the Masters; I just putted like, you know [shakes head]... yeah, I don't even know what to say, but I putted really badly; it was probably the worst putting week I've ever had.
"Then I went on to Hilton Head to have a really bad week the following week, and yeah, quite a day. That was a low point of my year, really.
"If I were to look at my year, the first four months, I probably hit the ball as well as I ever have and putted as badly as I ever have."
"Golf is in a funny place... but I'd be hopeful things will be solved soon and we'll all be playing back together" - Shane Lowry spoke to @PaulWalsh22_
about the LIV golf situation while in Dublin to confirm he will play at the 2024 Amgen Irish Open #PGATour #DPWorldTour #LivGolf pic.twitter.com/Yipm19VnMC— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 20, 2023
Lowry was also part of the successful Ryder Cup team that hammered the US in Rome. The European team beat their American counterparts with a 16-11 victory. Lowry highlighted the Ryder Cup as the standout moment but also confirmed that there was a lot to improve on despite the victory.
"I think obviously it goes without saying the highlight of my year was the Ryder Cup and that week, but a lot to improve, I think, in 2024, he added.
"But I think I've been around long enough to know that professional golf ebbs and flows; you just have to keep doing what you feel is right. As long as you do that and things aren't going too badly, you just have to believe that the best is yet to come."
Lowry has been around the golf scene for a long time and will begin his 16th season in 2024. The Offaly man has plans to retire and wants to become one of the few golfers who play well in their 40s. This has added to his motivation to get back to his best and win titles again.
"I'm 37 next year. There aren't too many golfers who played great in their 40s. I'm starting my 16th season next year on tour. If you include 2009, which was nearly a full season, from May to December,.
"It's been a long... well, not a long career. But a decent career so far. In my head, I feel if I can get to 45, still very competitive, I'd be very happy with that. That's still nine years.
"Sitting around the team room in the Ryder Cup, you're looking around, and I'm the second oldest player there.
"Looking at Ludwig Aberg, come out and play the way he does. And all these young kids, the [Nicolai] Hojgaards. It does nothing but motivate me, to be honest.
"I'm definitely more motivated than I've ever been heading into the new year."
