Lowry bullish after season's best display at K Club

Shane Lowry said he played some of his best golf of 2023 after finishing third at the Horizon Irish Open at the K Club, marking his first top-10 finish since February.

After a strong 2022, which concluded in stunning style with a victory at the BMW PGA Championship in Wentworth, Lowry has endured a patchy season in 2023, with three top-20 finishes in majors but a dearth of top-10s.

With the relief of earning a Ryder Cup captain's pick courtesy of Luke Donald at the start of the week, Lowry returned to form in Kildare this week, posting three rounds of 68 and a 72 to finish on 12-under, in a tie for third and just two strokes shy of eventual winner Vincent Norrman.

"I played some of the best golf I've played all year," Lowry told RTÉ Sport's Greg Allen on Sunday evening.

"One thing I'm pleased with, my iron play has been iffy over the last month or two and I felt like that was one of the best parts of my game this week.

"I feel like I've got a nice few weeks ahead of me and this is a great way to kickstart it."

Vincent Norrman powered to victory at the 2023 Horizon Irish Open with a final round 65, Shane Lowry climbing to tied-3rd after an impressive finish - @DAVEKELLY4 reports from @thekclub pic.twitter.com/C1Gb22KdmL

The 2009 winner briefly looked like contending for the title with a run of three birdies in four holes between 10 and 13 before a bogey on the 15th scuppered his chances.

Putting woes cost Lowry on Saturday, in particular, where his round of 72 left him five adrift at the start of the final round. However, he was relatively happy with his putting stroke, despite the numerous close shaves.

"I feel like this season has been a season where I've not put all parts of my game together during tournament play.

"I feel like