Budding Irish golfer Shane Lowry will hope to breach the world’s top 50 with a strong performance in the upcoming Shell Houston Open in order to secure a spot in the year's first Major event, the Masters. 

Lowery spoke about his season play thus far at the launch of his new endorsement deal with Dublin stockbrokers Shelbourne Markets and said, "To be honest, I don't feel I've played well this year. I had a great time in America. I really love it over there. I wasn't too happy when I came back home. I almost feel like I've been getting a lot of pats on the back for not doing much.  It's time to get back to reality, back to doing what I do best.”

Lowery admits in the past he’s gotten too caught up about where he sits in the world rank. 

"Since winning in Portugal last October, I've spent nearly five months getting up every Monday morning at 9:00 to check my ranking. What's the point?”

Lowry said he doesn’t allow himself to check anymore and explained, "I normally just worry about my next game of golf, so I shouldn't be setting myself specific targets or goals.”

While knowing he has to get into the top 50 to be eligible for the Masters, Lowry still feels not paying attention to the ranks will do his game some good.

"From now on, I'm just going out there, playing my golf and seeing where I end up on Sunday evening."

As of now, Lowry is ranked 67th.  Some would suggest Lowry would already be in the top 50 if it were not for a shingles virus that put the Irish golfer in a Dubai hospital.