Winning the Open Championship in 2019 has been the high point of Shane Lowry's golfing career to date.
Not surprisingly the Offaly man would love to add to that sole major success. Back in Ireland to enjoy the Christmas and New Year break, Lowry's has his sights firmly set on next year, when speaking to RTÉ Sport's Greg Allen.
"There are a lot of opportunities to do great things. That's what I'm all about; I want to win big tournaments."
Bullish words from the player who'll turn 36 on the Sunday before next year's Masters. Lowry was tied third around the famous course in 2022 and is relishing the chance to tee it up again next April.
"I feel like I'm getting my head around Augusta," he said.
"I'd love to be the first Irishman to put on the Green Jacket."
Lowry's form over the last 12 months would indicate that he is well primed to have a good 2023. As well as his strong finish in the Masters, he came close to winning the Honda Classic and the RBC Heritage, before claiming the PGA Championship at Wentworth in September.
Reflecting on the season just past, he said: "I'm pretty happy with what I’ve had in 2022 and I’m hoping I can go forward next year and better what I did this year.
"Obviously 2019, with the Open, will probably always come first but it’s probably the second-best year I’ve had.
"To get a win at a tournament like Wentworth against a field like that was very, very special.
"I picked up a bit of consistency and gave myself a few chances to win this year, more chances than I probably have in the past. That was really nice. You get used to being at the top of the leaderboard and that makes you more comfortable.
"There haven’t been too many weeks where I have been plodding my way around the back nine on a Sunday in 50th or 60th, which is a great thing to say at the end of the year.
"I’m 36. I don’t feel much older [physically] than I did 10 years ago but mentally I’m a lot older and wiser.
"A lot of golfers come into the prime of their career around 36 and I’m very hopeful that this is the year when I come out all guns blazing and start racking up wins."
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Another 2023 target is the Ryder Cup, which will be staged in Rome.
After debuting at the 2021 event in Whistling Straits, Lowry wants to be involved again, and hopefully this time on a winning team.
"I will use what happened in Whistling Straits as fuel. I hope I'm there, there's a good chance I'll be part of the team. Hopefully I'll be a big part of the team and earn some big points, to be part of a winning team. Even though, I've only played one it means a lot to me, and it would mean a lot to be one of the 12 Europeans to win that trophy.
"I remember living the hotel on the Monday morning in Wisconsin saying that I can't believe I have to wait another two years for that, I can't believe it's over. It will come around a lot quicker than we think now."
The new season for Lowry begins on 13 January with his participation in the Hero Cup, formerly the Seve Trophy, in Abu Dhabi. It's a team event where Great Britain and Ireland take on Continental Europe and the Clara native welcomes its inclusion on the '23 calendar.
"We've lost out for the last while because we haven't had the Seve Trophy. The Americans have the Presidents Cup and that gives them a big advantage. The European Tour have put on this event and so it was hypocritical of me to say that we need it and then not be involved.
"I feel the right players are playing in this tournament and if we can get one pairing out of it for September and get two people that are happy playing with each other going into the Ryder Cup, then that can be a help to the team.
Séamus Power, who currently leads the FedEx Cup Standings, is on the GB & Ireland selection and Lowry is looking forward to the prospect of partnering the Waterford player in Abu Dhabi.
"It's only right that Seamus and I go and knock together in that Hero Cup. If we click there then it would be nice to tee it up in Rome, assuming the two of us make the team. I'm not sure you'll play the same match with every person, they'll want to rotate it, to see how players react together.
"Maybe a game with Seamus and a game with Tyrell (Hatton) will be good for me and Europe going forward."
