The Golf Night panel have urged Shane Lowry to remain confident after his disappointing start as a pro.
Amateur urged to stick to his game
Shane Lowry will adapt to the European Tour, the
Golf Night panel agree, despite the Irish Open winner shooting a disappointing 78 in his first round as a professional.
The Irishman who stunned the world with his magnificent win two weeks ago, including a record-equalling 62, found his first day as a professional far tougher, carding six over at The European Open at the London Golf Club, Kent.
Denis Pugh believes the 22-year-old, who became just the third player in European Tour history to win an event as an amateur, should not let his opening day performance affect his confidence.
"It's a welcome to the real world," said Denis Pugh. "This is the European Tour.
"What he played in at the Irish Open was a European Tour event but it was at a club he knew very well and now he is playing as a Tour pro on courses he doesn't know.
"He beat a good field in Ireland but now he has got to do that every week.
"He is going to miss cuts but he can't let it affect his confidence. There are so many lessons for him to learn but I would say the biggest of all is to stick to his game, play his golf and find out how good his game is."
No-win situation
Richard Boxall, believes Lowry was in a no-win situation at the London Golf Club, with the eyes of the world focusing on how he would fare in the professional game.
"He was on a hiding to nothing really after winning the Irish Open," said Boxall.
"If he had shot 67 then everyone would have said 'oh you're still on a run from the Irish Open'.
"Where as if he goes out and shoots 78, like he has done, then they're going to go 'oh well, welcome to the European Tour, this is what it's really like.'
"But he will be alright. So many people come on Tour and think 'oh I'll change this, I'll change that,' well it's a bad, bad thing to do.
"You have got to stick with what got you there in the first place. He is going to miss cuts, it is only natural, but there are so many things to learn on the European Tour. He just needs to stick to his game."
