PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — Shane Lowry believes he’s figured out a formula to excel in the biggest tournaments, like this week’s British Open at Royal Portrush, where he won the Claret Jug in 2019.

Shane Lowry didn’t know what to make of the mural at first. He doesn’t look at himself as someone worthy of being celebrated as a national hero.

Tattoos are forever … but so is the 2023 European Ryder Cup team. Led by Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm (with a little Shane Lowry energy thrown in), the squad took over Marco Simone two years ago, starting with a 4-0 lead and eventually turning that into a 16.

Lowry feels “rejuvenated” and as prepared as he could be in his bid to become the first player to win consecutive British Opens at the same course since Tiger Woods at St. Andrews in 2000 and ’05.

He won his lone Major at the British Open at Royal Portrush – site of this week’s championship – in 2019. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

If we have any quarrel with the mural, it's that Lowry stands alone. Portrush proper is home to barely 6,000 souls, yet the R&A expects over a quarter-million pilgrims this week. The mathematics should spell chaos, but when an entire community vibrates at the same frequency—when everyone wants to be here—logistics become footnotes. It just works.

A mural of Shane Lowry holding aloft the claret jug adorns the side wall of a house just across the road from Royal Portrush.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, Shane Lowry and Collin Morikawa are grouped together for the first two rounds of the 153rd British Open, beginning July 17 at Royal Portrush, in Northern Ireland. They will tee off in the first round at 5:09 a.m. (EDT) and in the second round at 10:10 a.m.