Shane Lowry Battles Mental Torture at 2023 US Open
Experience Shane Lowry’s intense struggle with Pinehurst’s demanding course at the 2023 US Open. Despite facing ‘absolute mental torture,’ Lowry’s strategic mindset and perseverance might be the key to success in the challenging conditions.
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Lowry Expects Level Par to be Enough at ‘Mentally Torturous’ US Open
In a grueling third round at the 2023 US Open, Ireland’s Shane Lowry predicted that level par could be enough to clinch the title, having experienced “absolute mental torture” on the Pinehurst course.
Lowry, the 2019 Open Champion, battled his way to a round of 70, carding three birdies and three bogeys to remain at five over par for the tournament. The Swede Ludvig Aberg held a one-shot lead at the halfway stage on five under par, but Lowry believes the increasingly challenging conditions will send scores soaring over the weekend.
“It’s torture out there, honestly it’s absolute mental torture,” Lowry said. “That’s the best level par I’ve ever shot in my life.”
The Irishman struggled with the course’s demanding approach shots, admitting that he found himself thinking about where to miss his shots rather than where to target them. “Every single shot you have, even when you hit a good shot the putts you have, it’s brutally difficult,” he added.
Despite a shaky start with a bogey on the first hole, Lowry managed to regain his composure, carding birdies on the sixth and seventh holes, including a superb bunker shot on the latter. However, he acknowledged the need for careful course management in the testing conditions.
“If you get on a bad run you just need to steady the ship and keep going, you don’t need to make birdies,” Lowry said, expressing his belief that level par will be a competitive score over the weekend.
The 2023 US Open continues to pose a stern test for the world’s best golfers, and Lowry’s resilience and strategic approach may prove crucial as the tournament progresses.
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