Shane Lowry isn't going to let his final round experience at the US Open last month to impact on him at Royal Troon this week.
The Offaly man led heading into the final round at Oakmont, but endured a difficult closing round as Dustin Johnson rallied to secure victory. He missed the cut at this week's Scottish Open and now is looking to Royal Troon to rediscover some form.
"Expectations have been a little high since Oakmont, but the last couple of weeks haven't really gone to plan, so I just need to get back to basics and try and go out and enjoy my golf," he told Sky Sports.
"I would love to win The Open. It would be unbelievable to stand on that 18th green on Sunday being announced as the Champion Golfer of the Year.
"I've watched it for years - I love watching it - and it's just great to be able to play in it. When you get to see the crowds here and just the buzz around the place, it is great."
Lowry is yet to win a major, but his victory last year at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone, as well as his opening three rounds in Oakmont, prove that he is more than capable of competing at the highest level against the world's best golfers.
Speaking to Off The Ball after his four-stroke defeat at Oakmont, journalist Lawrence Donegan also made the point that it is not uncommon for golfers to come close during major tournaments before winning a maiden title.
"If you follow golf closely, it's very seldom when a guy gets himself into that sort of position for the first one. It's actually seldom of a guy who gets himself there goes on to win.
"He will have learned a lot from [The US Open] and play with a lot more control and will be able to slow things down. If you look at the history of these things, it takes a few gos."
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