In a good mood and with big expectations – Shane Lowry is going into the Porsche Singapore Classic at the Laguna National Golf Resort Club from 21 to 24 March very optimistically, despite a 30-hour journey from Florida. In an interview, the Irish Major and Ryder Cup champion speaks, amongst other things, about the dream of winning a hole-in-one car, his other goals for his first Porsche golf event and why he likes seeing the world as a top golfer.
You’ve had a long journey getting here, what are your feelings going into the 2024 Porsche Singapore Classic?
Lowry: I’m feeling pretty good considering the 12-hour time difference. The nights were relaxing and I’m enjoying being here, and not only at the club. We’ve already been out for a walk in the city and had a fantastic meal at an Irish Michelin starred chef. I like the city, it’s cool. It’s great coming here. It’s about 12 years since I was last here. It really was time.
After some impressive results on the US PGA Tour – two Top 4 finishes at three events in March – you’ve come to Singapore in fine form. What are your expectations?
Lowry: I’m very happy with the way things are going at the moment. The results are fine, I’m often up with the leaders. That’s how I’d like it to be on Sunday, and then be in with a chance of winning. I have big expectations. I’m here to win. I just have to continue doing the same thing I’ve been doing recently, namely playing good golf. I enter a tournament and try to be in with a chance of winning it in Sunday’s final round. It’s up to me to do that and it’s worked out well recently. The only thing was that I haven’t come away with a title this year. Perhaps that’ll change this week, so I’m looking forward to the days here and to this special event.
What makes it special for you?
Lowry: I always try to play as often as possible on the DP World Tour, it’s where my career began. Now I’m back again for the first time this season, meeting many old friends and the atmosphere is very positive. It’s also my first tournament in which Porsche is involved. It’s naturally super being picked up in a Porsche from the airport. I watch a lot of golf. Back home in the US, the DP World Tour mainly takes place in the mornings. It’s perfect when I’m getting the kids ready for school. I also watched the Porsche European Open in Hamburg in the past few years. And it looked pretty good. I’m very happy to be able to experience everything here now. I’m not an expert but I like beautiful cars. And I like driving them. It’s far better than being a passenger. It’s not something I’m good at. If I’m not driving, then you have to put me in a back seat.
Who would your favourite passenger be on the Tour?
Lowry: I think Tommy Fleetwood is pretty laid back. He’d sit next to me and take care of the music. I like listening to good music when I’m driving. I’m sure everything would work out. Also, because he’s a good friend of mine.
You’ve managed a few holes-in-one on iconic Par 3 holes – on the 16th at the Masters in Augusta, on the 17th at TPC Sawgrass at the Players. This week a dream shot could bestow you with a dream car, the Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid …
Lowry: Yes, you know I’ve managed six aces on the Tour up until now. But I’ve never won anything. I’d like that to change this week. It’s the perfect opportunity for a seventh hole-in-one and getting my first car for a golf shot. That’d be a fantastic success.
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Talking about success: you’re a Ryder Cup winner and since your victory at the 2019 Open Championship, you’re also a Major champion. Which title do you like more?
Lowry: They’re obviously both great and I’m so happy to have enjoyed success in the two of them. But at the same time, they’re both very different. The Open Championship was an incredible week – but also incredibly tiring. And the Ryder Cup last year was above all a lot of fun. I really enjoyed it, even a little more than the Open Championship at the time. I was on out my own there. At the Ryder Cup everything is spread over several shoulders. We all go through the week’s highs and lows with the one big goal in our sights and we support each other, especially in the European team. The team spirit is huge. It’s special not being on one’s own.
You are a world class golfer playing tournaments on many differing continents. How do you view such a life?
Lowry: I’m living a dream, that’s how I view it. We can feel very lucky being able to see these places and at the same time getting to know lots of interesting people. I’ve already mentioned meeting the starred Irish chef. It’s great meeting up with the Irish community in a foreign city and being inspired, and at the same time being able to attract the Irish fans from Singapore that support me to the course. We as a family, I have two daughters, are obviously often split up. But we don’t know it any other way. It’s my job. And this week for example my wife and the two of them are on holiday with friends. So, they’re also having a good time.
About Shane Lowry
Shane Lowry, 36, sensationally won the home Irish Open as an amateur in 2009. Since then, the man from Clara has been amassing five other big titles. In addition to the 2019 Open Championship, he also triumphed at the World Golf Championship Bridgestone Invitational in 2015. In 2023, he was a member of the winning European Ryder Cup team in Rome.
Porsche in golf
Porsche has been involved in golf since 1988 through the Porsche Golf Cup. The tournament series is one of the company’s most successful customer events and has developed into an international event in which over 17,000 Porsche customers recently took part in 261 worldwide qualifying tournaments. After becoming involved in professional golf for the first time in 2015 as the title sponsor of the DP World Tour’s prestigious Porsche European Open, Porsche was then instrumental in establishing the tournament as a top golf event in Germany. As the new title sponsor of the Porsche Singapore Classic, the sports car manufacturer is internationalising its commitment to professional golf in the important Asian market. Car partnerships at US PGA Tour and DP World Tour tournaments, including the Omega European Masters in Crans Montana as well as in women’s golf – the Amundi Evian Championship – round off its involvement in professional golf. Launched in 2017, the Porsche Golf Circle is also highly successful. The international community for keen golf-playing Porsche customers gives its members the opportunity to enjoy exclusive golfing experiences at unique locations and at professional tournaments. Paul Casey has been complementing the Porsche family since 2020 as the first Brand Ambassador from the game of golf.
Consumption Data
Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid (WLTP): Fuel consumption weighted combined: 1.7 – 1.2 l/100 km; Fuel consumption with depleted battery combined: 11,7 – 10,5 l/100 km; Electrical consumption weighted combined: 29.9 – 27.5 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions weighted combined: 38 – 26 g/km; CO₂ class weighted combined: B; CO₂ class with depleted battery: G; Status 03/2024
Taycan Turbo (WLTP): Electrical consumption combined: 20.5 – 18.0 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km; CO₂ class: A; Status 03/2024