Prior to the 2016 U.S. Open, Shane Lowry admittedly knew little about the course at Oakmont.
But the Irishman quickly learned what he would be up against on the fairways.
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Lowry thought his US Open campaign was over before it began in 2016Credit: Getty
Safe to say, he did not like it.
Lowry stepped foot onto the iconic course in Pennsylvania for a practice round a few days ahead of the third major.
Unfortunately, the 38-year-old did not get to properly learn the ins and outs of Oakmont because, well, it was simply too difficult.
“My coach was with me, and we teed off on 10,” Lowry said at the Memorial Tournament.
“We got around to 14, which is up beside the clubhouse, and I walked in.
“And I sat there in the locker room going, ‘I have no idea how I’m going to play golf around this place.'”
It took Lowry a mere five holes to believe his U.S. Open was over before it even began.
How wrong he was.
After three rounds at Oakmont, Lowry sat atop the leaderboard thanks to impressive rounds of 68, 70 and 65.
It meant Lowry boasted a four-stroke lead going into the final day of action.
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The Irishman has never forgotten how his first visit to Oakmont wentCredit: Ten Golf – YouTube
Shane Lowry’s U.S. Open results
2011: Cut
2014: Cut
2015: Tied for 9th
2016: Tied for 2nd
2017: Tied for 46th
2018: Cut
2019: Tied for 28th
2020: Tied for 43rd
2021: Tied for 65th
2022: Cut
2023: Tied for 20th
2024: Tied for 19th
However, there was one unexpected element he had to partly thank for his impressive performance that was nowhere to be seen during his practice round: the rain.
The opening day of the 2016 U.S. Open was derailed due to heavy rainfall, but it soon played into Lowry’s hands as the course softened up.
It meant Oakmont was open for favourable scores form the field and Lowry certainly took advantage of it.
But the course firmed up for the final round and it spelt danger for Lowry.
Add in the fact Lowry had never led a major before and the Irishman had a lethal mix destined for doom.
Lowry mustered a solitary birdie and a grim seven bogeys to score 76 in his final round.
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Lowry watched his lead slip away in agonising fashion during the final roundCredit: Getty
Unfortunately for Lowry, his score was good enough to tie for second as he finished three strokes behind winner Dustin Johnson.
A ‘bitterly disappointed’ Lowry was left to lament what could and perhaps should have been after the final round.
“You know, it’s not easy to get yourself in a position I got myself in today,” Lowry said.
“It was there for the taking and I didn’t take it.
“The more I think about it, the more upset I’m getting.
“It’s one of those that’s going to be hard to take. It’s going to be a tough few days.
Furious Shane Lowry takes huge chunk out of fairway and flips off ball after arguing with PGA official
“But I led by four shots in the tournament going into the final round. I had a lead with five holes to play.”
The T2 placement for Lowry at Oakmont in 2016 remains his best performance at a U.S. Open.
In fact, he has not finished above T19 in the following years.
However, the 2025 U.S. Open marks the tournament’s return to Oakmont and Lowry will hope to recapture the magic from 2016.
Perhaps he may even fare a little better during a practice round too.
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