"If Shane tries to be Pádraig, he won't win"

Paul McGinley.  Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Paul McGinley believes Shane Lowry could be a dark horse for Masters glory as long as he stops trying to be like Padraig Harrington.

The Clara man comes into Augusta feeling rested after the arrival of his daughter Iris a few weeks ago and like defending champion Danny Willett 12 months ago, he could surprise the favourites by coming up on the rails.

Given the fitness work he has done in recent years, Lowry might even surprise a few people with his turn of speed.

But McGinley is adamant that work in the gym is not what Lowry needs to be the best player he can be.

Asked what Lowry has to do to win a Masters, or a major, McGinley said: "Just be Shane. If he tries to be Pádraig, he won't win. He is a very different player to Pádraig. 

"Practising for six hours a day and being totally dedicated and going to the gym every day, that's everything Shane shouldn't be doing. 

"Just be Shane. Get more experience, more confident, keep playing his game, make good decisions and it will happen. 

"I think he is in a good place, Shane. And I think his early season statistics have been very good.

"He has had a really strong start to the year. He likes the big occasion; he likes Augusta. The course will suit him. He has now got a few Masters under his belt. 

"So I wouldn't be surprised to see Shane having a strong Masters. Another guy who likes the big occasion and has done well on the big occasion. I don't see why he can't do well."

Paul McGinley leads Sky Sports’ coverage of the US Masters 2017. Sky Sports’ live coverage of the 2017 Masters in Augusta gets underway on April 5th with expert insight and analysis from former Ryder Cup captain, Paul McGinley, and Butch Harmon. 

Sky Sports’ award-winning coverage will commence on Monday April 3rd from the Augusta practice range before coverage of the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship followed by the Masters Par 3 Contest on Wednesday, April 5th. 

Sky Sports’ four days of live tournament action will tee off on Thursday April 6th from 7pm. Extra coverage of the featured groups as well as the 15th and 16th holes and Amen Corner will be available live from 1.15pm* to all Sky Sports subscribers who press the red button.