Shane Lowry is hoping Rory McIlroy's career Grand Slam triumph will ignite his own quest for further major success at the 2025 US Open this week. Lowry, who won the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, wants to draw motivation from his close friend's resilience.

Motivation from McIlroy's Success

"I have never been more jealous, or more happy, of anyone in my whole life of watching what Rory did at the Masters," Lowry told BBC Sport NI. "I think it's incredible, for everyone, for him, for Irish golf, for everyone around him. It just puts fire in my belly to kick on and be better than I have been."

Aiming for Another Major Title

Lowry is aiming to capture his second major title on a course where he nearly triumphed in 2016. "I only want to add one more to my name, one of these big ones, and obviously we have [the Open at] Portrush in a few weeks so there's an exciting summer ahead."

Preparation and Tee Times

Lowry and McIlroy played nine holes together on Tuesday morning to prepare for the start of the tournament on Thursday. They have been paired together for the opening two rounds at Oakmont, along with fellow European Ryder Cup player and former US Open champion Justin Rose.

"We are also practising with each other again tomorrow so we will be sick of the sight of each other by Friday!" said a joking Lowry. "Hopefully we can both play well and give ourselves a run at the weekend. The last few times I have played with Rory I have played pretty good. I played the first two rounds of Bay Hill this year, I was well up there."

Challenges of Oakmont

Oakmont has tight fairways, penal rough, and lightning-fast greens which many believe make it the world's toughest golf course and the ultimate US Open venue – but Lowry is buzzing with anticipation. "It's mentally going to be very difficult," said Lowry. "I think for me, on the eye, it's less daunting than other courses we play. There's not much trouble other than rough and the greens. There are not many hazards. You are not standing on many tee boxes with water hazards down the fairways or coming into greens."

Excitement for the US Open

"It's a proper US Open test and growing up wanting to play US Opens and watching US Opens on TV, this is what it was. This is what a US Open is about and I always get excited coming to these venues."