Lowry to take Memorial route in US Open bid

Shane Lowry may have departed London earlier than planned today his first-round effort in the US Open international qualifying at Walton Heath being one of too many strokes and a subsequent withdrawal, but the next leg of his journey – onwards to Dublin, Ohio – for this week's Memorial tournament on the US Tour provides an indication of his desire to reach ever greater levels in his career.

Make no mistake about it, Lowry – as laidback as he is – has serious notions. And whilst it was interesting to see his industrious work with coach Neil Manchip on the range at Wentworth last weekend, it’s an indication of his ambition to move onwards and upwards into the world’s top-50 that his work away from the range now takes in an ever-expanding back-up team that includes mind coach Enda McNulty, the former Armagh footballer, and Barry Solan, a strength and conditioning coach.

Lowry may have only moved up two spots, to 77th from 79th in the latest world ranking, but he remains within touching distance of that elusive top-50. And with eight of the world's top-10 in the field at Muirfield Village (only Graeme McDowell, who won't reappear until the US Open at Merion in three weeks, and Louis Oosthuizen are missing), there are serious world ranking points on offer. The Offalyman needs to break into the top-60 by June 10th to get an invite to play at Merion.

“I’m definitely playing well enough to go out and perform,” said Lowry, who felt that his short game has returned to its best as he gets set for a maiden appearance in Jack Nicklaus’s tournament. Lowry picked the brains of Carl Pettersson about the venue. “I know it’s in great nick. I’m just looking forward to going over there.”

Having got into the mix at the business end of affairs in Wentworth, Lowry at least knows that his game is in good shape heading into this week’s $6.2 million event.

Rory McIlroy, in contrast, is looking for something good to happen and insistent that he is "fully focussed" on his golf.

“I’ve been working hard on my game and practising and that’s been the number one priority . . . there’s a lot of events one after the other from now until the end of September and it’s a real time in the season where you have to knuckle down and play some good golf.”

McIlroy and Lowry form a dual Irish assault on the Memorial, but Darren Clarke – who ended months of frustration being sidelined with a hamstring injury by returning to competitive action in the BMW PGA – is part of a quintet of Irish players in action in the Nordea Open on the European Tour in Sweden this week. Clarke is joined by Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane, David Higgins and Alan Dunbar, who is playing on a sponsor's invite.

Clarke, who is “mad keen” to play after his period of inactivity due to the injury sustained when playing tennis the week before the Masters, has a demanding upcoming schedule in his bid to make up for lost time that includes the US Open, the Irish Open, French Open and Scottish Open leading up to the British Open at Muirfield in July.

McDowell is enjoying a few days break at home in Portrush before returning to the United States, with some corporate engagements scheduled for New York early next week before taking in a practice round at Merion next Wednesday. He then plans on returning to his home in Orlando to work on his game before the US Open.

Meanwhile, new BMW PGA champion Matteo Manassero – who moved ahead of McDowell to the top of the European Tour money list on the back of his victory – plays in Sweden in the knowledge that he has moved up to a new level and that he has secured tickets into the season's remaining three Majors. With one eye on that Race to Dubai, the Italian intends to retain "a balance" playing on both European and US Tours for the rest of the season.

Manassero lost almost seven kilos in weight in a planned fitness regime that has also brought extra distance off the tee which was evident in his play-off win at Wentworth.

“In the (winter) off-season, I had five weeks off and I went on a diet, a lot of cardio training and diet . . . I feel much better now physically, so it was work that had to be done and I’m happy that I’ve done it,” said Manassero, who has making next year’s Ryder Cup team at Gleneagles as one of his main targets.