Lowry relishing Mickelson pairing | US Open the 'one that got away'

Shane Lowry is relishing the opportunity to play alongside Phil Mickelson for the first time in a major since his Open victory as he chases further success at the US Open.

The Irishman is part of a star-studded group alongside Mickelson and Louis Oosthuizen, two players committed to the LIV Golf Invitational Series, for the first two rounds at The Country Club in Brookline.

Mickelson's appearance in Boston is his first in America since his four-month hiatus from the sport, with large crowds expected to follow him in his latest pursuit of the career Grand Slam, with Lowry excited by his grouping and his hopes of a second major title.

"I'm in a good group, it's going to be loud out there and it's going to be enjoyable," Lowry told Sky Sports News. "He [Mickelson] got a really good reception here this week and I'm sure it will be the same tomorrow.

"The last time I played with him [in a major] was in Portrush, the first two rounds of The Open, so hopefully it's a similar result this week!

"It's going to be a huge mental battle, you're going to need to hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens. The greens are going to get firm and fast and probably get burned out a little bit. The forecast is really good, I think we've seen the golf course as easy as we're going to see it."

Lowry has finished no higher than tied-28th at the US Open since his near-miss in the 2016 contest at Oakmont, where he took a four-shot lead into the final round before ending the week tied-second behind Dustin Johnson after a closing 76.

"I do always feel like it [2016] is the one that got away, but I look at it now and think that if I hadn't done that, would I have had what it took to win in Portrush?" Lowry added. "I'm happy with what I have there.

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