Shane Lowry reveals the biggest mistake fans make when watching pros on TV

Follow us on Google Discover

Shane Lowry kept up his strong run of form on the DP World Tour this week, turning up at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

Despite a packed schedule, he took some time out to discuss his wedge play, which has long been a reliable part of his game.

Lowry’s career includes six titles on the DP World Tour and three more on the PGA Tour, highlighted by his 2019 Open Championship win.

The 38-year-old was also part of the European side that got the better of Team USA in last September’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.

Shane Lowry points out a common misconception about wedge play among amateurs

Lowry joined fellow pro Matt Fitzpatrick for a wedge demonstration, sharing his approach to scoring opportunities from short range.

He began by explaining: “People at home might think that when a pro gets a wedge in his hand that they hit it close all the time.

“But I think like Tour average from 100 yards is 18 feet or so, which is not like ridiculously close. From 100 yards, you don’t need to be hitting it stiff all the time. You just need to be giving yourself chances. So I think that’s the one thing I’ve learned over the years.”

“So if you’ve got 130 yards, what would your expectations be here?” Fitzpatrick questioned.

Lowry answered: “I think depending on where the flag is, obviously it’s in the middle of the green here, you’re trying to hit obviously pretty close.

“But once you’re inside, like 15 feet, it’s a really good shot, and you’re giving yourself chances. Actually my first caddy used to beat it into me that pin high was always really good.

“As long as you’re pin high and your distance control is good, you’re always going to have chances. So that’s what I try and work on. You’re trying not to be too aggressive but you want to hit it obviously pretty close as well.”

Fitzpatrick then asked: “Obviously that’s a center pin, but if it moves to the left or to the right there, it should be pretty obvious you’re aiming away from the pin probably a bit more?”

“Yeah. Well, on Tour, we play a lot of camera tower golf, don’t we? There’s always a camera tower in the middle of the green and you’re always trying to hit it there, especially when you get longer clubs in,” Lowry replied.

“I tend to be more comfortable with a fade. So if the pin is on the left, I normally try and fade it off, away from it.

“And then if the pin is on the right that’s when I’m kind of licking my chops, where I feel like I can fade it onto the flag.

“Scottie Scheffler is the best in the world, and he doesn’t hit it stiff all the time, but he’s very sensible about where he hits it and what he does.

“And then if the pin is at the front obviously you’re just trying to hit a little bit more spin, and maybe I’ll try and go a bit higher with a bit more cut on it to get it coming down soft.

“I’m actually better when I do that, when I try and hit different shots. I think the hardest shot in the world is like no wind and the pin in the middle of the green, it really is,” he concluded.

Race to Dubai top 10 after Aaron Rai’s win at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

Several Ryder Cup names were back in action on the DP World Tour this week, with Aaron Rai coming out on top.

Rai clinched the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in a playoff against Tommy Fleetwood after both finished tied at 25-under.

Rory McIlroy wrapped up his week in a tie for third at 24-under, while Robert MacIntyre also secured a spot inside the top 10.

Lowry closed out his tournament tied for 12th at 19-under, while Matt Fitzpatrick ended up down in T32 on 14-under as the season neared its close.

The season wraps up this week with the DP World Tour Championship, hosted at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.

• READ MORE: Tommy Fleetwood and Ben Griffin climb new spots in latest Official World Golf Rankings

McIlroy goes into the event leading the Race to Dubai standings, while Rai’s win has pushed him up 46 spots to ninth place.