LOWRY EYES PERFECT TEN

SHANE Lowry could break into the world’s top 10 at the Masters after his latest close call on the PGA Tour.

- MICHAEL SCULLY

It is just over a year since the Clara man returned to the top 50 with a third place finish in The Players Championship, having fallen out of it before the end of 2023.

Since then his consistency has shown through and Lowry’s frustrating eighth place finish at the Valspar Championship on Sunday has moved him up three places to a career-high 12th in the standings.

The 37-year-old started the year ranked 27th and propelled himself to 14th on the back of finishing seventh in the Arnold Palmer Invitational earlier this month — eclipsing his previous best of 16th after winning The Open at Portrush in 2019.

That was one of three top 10 finishes on the PGA Tour already this year after he recorded seven in 2024, along with a victory alongside Rory Mcllroy — he finished runner-up to his Ireland Olympic teammate at Pebble Beach.