Advice for Shane Lowry Now That He is a Pro

Shane Lowry officially turned pro today and will make his first pro start in the European Tour's European Open next week.

As one might expect when something like this happens, everyone has their own advice to offer the kid.  Some of it is very good.

Karl McGinty talks to Thomas Bjorn who cautions that it is a difficult task.

"One tournament win doesn't do it for you. There's a long road ahead at that age and many years in the game. You build a career on the back of what you achieve over time. That's what makes you.

"We tend to try an make people superstars before they are and that's the wrong way of going about it. Look down this range. Most of these guys have won tournaments but a lot of them wouldn't feel like superstars. They feel they can hold their own out here and that's a long way to go."

That's great advice for Shane Lowry and the European golf media.

John Hopkins quotes Lowry's fellow countrymen - and pretty damn successful guy - Padraig Harrington on his thoughts before the announcement today.

"Shane has his whole life ahead of him. What is three months in the grand scheme of things? I have won three major championships but the experience of playing in three Walker Cups before I turned pro are very important to me. If he believes he is good enough, and winning the Irish Open says he is good enough, he ain't going to be worried about turning up for $40,000 for last place in the Bridgestone event in the US"

Dead on again!  The best players don't care much about making money because winning takes care of everything.

I think that Shane made the right move in turning pro.  He can cash in on what he just achieved.  But, at the same time, cashing in on that win should not get him thinking that he is in it for the money.  He will have to wratchet up his game to another level if he intends to even qualify for tournaments where he can earn 40 large just by appearing.