Paul McGinley is holding out plenty of hope for some strong Irish performances at the US Open this week particularly from Shane Lowry at Pinehurst.
Rory McIlroy, Tom McKibbin and Séamus Power are also in the field but it’s Lowry who catches McGinley’s eye ahead of the opening round tomorrow.
“Pinehurst could suit Shane. He could chase it around there. He’s got a phenomenal short game and the ability to chip is really important next week. He seems to be putting very well. And obviously it was record putting that he had in Valhalla,” said McGinley.
“The first two days was one of the lowest ever recorded in the history of strokes gained over 25 years. One of the lowest ever recorded putting averages he had it on the first few two day in Valhalla. It was just off the scale.
“So if he continues that putting, you know, I think a golf course will suit him. A little bit of wind will suit him. The creativity.”
McGinley believes Lowry’s shot making ability akin to what Martin Kaymer did in 2014 is something that could help him tackle a firm and fast golf course this week.
“You know, Pinehurst is a golf course that screams at you to be creative. You know, create something. The pins are looking at you saying create something to get here to me.
“The green is looking at you, saying, ‘create something to get on the green, but don’t miss me in the wrong place’.”
McGinley thinks this week’s major championship will be an entertaining one. Pinehurst isn’t a traditional US Open test with its wide fairways and generous rough. But it’s the table top greens and who can be the most creative that will separate the field.
“The fairways are saying I’m a big target here. Miss it at your peril. But I’m a big target so do you want to take me on or not? You know, the golf course screams at you.
“Talking of great golf course designs. For me, great golf designs scream back at the player rather than the player screaming at the golf course. It tells you what to do.
“That’s really what I see in golf design. I want the golf course talking to me and Pinehurst of all US Open Courses talks to you more than any other course in America.
“Maybe Augusta talks to you because we all know it so well and we can see that design but certainly Pinehurst does.”
Pádraig Hárrington was in North Carolina receiving his World Golf Hall of Fame award at Monday’s induction ceremony but he won’t be competing this week having withdrawn from US Open qualifying due to injury and McGinley feels he could have done well this week if he was fit and qualified.
“So I’d be holding out a good bit of hope for players. I’m disappointed Padraig is not playing because that’s a course Padraig could do well on.”