GOLF IRISH PGA CHAMPIONSHIP:DAMIEN McGRANE marvels at the "golden" route that Shane Lowry took to establish himself as a top European Tour player.

Now the 39-year-old Meathman is bracing himself for a stiff challenge from the 23-year-old pro when he begins his bids to etch his name in the history books in the 100th staging of the €30,000 Ladbrokes.com-sponsored Irish PGA at Seapoint GC in Co Louth today.

Lowry sensationally won his tour card by capturing last year’s 3 Irish Open as an amateur at neighbouring Baltray. As he makes his debut in the domestic championship, the Offaly star is trying to complete a rare double of the Irish Open and Irish PGA titles that has only been achieved by such luminaries as Pádraig Harrington, Harry Bradshaw and Fred Daly.

Confessing that he chiselled out his career “in granite” after years of combining his duties as a club professional at Wexford with his bid to make the circuit, title-favourite McGrane can hardly believe how much Lowry has achieved since he earned his tour card 16 months ago.

“Shane has had the miracle start to pro golf,” said McGrane, who is hoping that victory at Seapoint could be the boost he needs to finish his tour season on a high. “He got his card the golden way but then he had to go out and make a living. So I have total respect for the guy because he has done something that nobody else has done.”

While there is only €3,500 on offer for the winner, McGrane said: “I’d like to turn around some day and say, yes, I did win the Irish PGA back in the day. I have an opportunity to do that . . . There is more than just money involved.”

The 120-man field features the cream of the Irish region of the PGA as well as course co-designer Des Smyth, who is chasing his seventh victory in the event at the age of 57. Playing down his chances despite his recent win on the European Senior Tour at Woburn, Smyth said: “I wouldn’t say I fancy my chances because there are a lot of young guys who are on the way up and I am on the way down. But I am a trier.”

SELECTED TEE TIMES: First tee – 9:30Leslie Walker (Dundalk), Mark Staunton (Foreireland.com), Neil Manchip (GUI National Academy); 10th tee: 9:00Jimmy Bolger (Kilkenny), Philip Walton (Foreireland.com), Connor Mallon (Narin and Portnoo); 9:10John Kelly (St Margarets), Shane Lowry (Esker Hills), Eamonn Brady (Clontarf); 9:30Darren McWilliams (Unatt), David Mortimer (Foreireland.com), Damien McGrane (Unatt); 14:00David Higgins (Waterville), Des Smyth (Unatt), Damian Mooney (Unatt).