ABU DHABI HSBC GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

January 21, 2023

Shane Lowry

Yas Links

Quick Quotes

Q. 6-under par, highlight at the 6, a difficult pitch. Talk us through that one from your point of view.

SHANE LOWRY: Yeah, I had a nice number. I had 162 yards and looked like at the time there wasn't much wind, it was just a nice 8-iron. I was just trying to cut it off the flag but hit it straight at it. Once bouncing in, it was a Brucie Bonus because I had given myself a few chances early doors and didn't really hole much.

Q. Tightly packed leaderboard. How important was the birdie at the last?

SHANE LOWRY: It felt great to be honest, especially at 17. I didn't hit that bad a shot on 17. It just never really moved in the wind. You know, it was one of the only times I was out of position all day, really, so you kind of have to take that.

Out of position off the tee on 18, and to be honest, I was thinking of making par and I was still in the tournament, but yeah, a Brucie Bonus to make a birdie there.

Q. How pleased with the round, five birdies and eagle and just the one bogey?

SHANE LOWRY: It's nice to go out on a Saturday, in tricky conditions coming in on the back nine and to put myself in there for tomorrow is pretty nice.

Q. You talked this morning before you teed off that the goal today was to get yourself in position to win this championship tomorrow and now you're there. Give us your thoughts.

SHANE LOWRY: First tournament of the year, you don't know what's going to happen. My thing would be I try and give myself as many chances to win as I can, and at some stage, hopefully it happens.

Tomorrow I've got a chance to go out there and do something special, so hopefully I can bring the game that I brought the last few days and roll a few putts in as well and you never know.

Q. A little bit breezier tomorrow.

SHANE LOWRY: Is it? I don't mind. I don't mind it. When it's breezy out there, it's very tricky, and I'll be able to deal with that.