2023 Honda Classic: Top 10 Power Rankings at PGA National

Whatever the opposite of a rain dance is, Shane Lowry is doing that before teeing it up at the Honda Classic.

At last year’s event, he was tied for the lead heading to the 72nd hole. That’s when a surprise rain shower dumped water on the final group.

Eventual champion Sepp Straka was in the clubhouse after a clutch birdie on the par-5 18th. The hole played a lot longer and tougher for Lowry, who had to lay up and made bogey.

He was resigned to solo second place.

Lowry lamented his misfortune in the post-round presser. He at least was able to turn the page with five more top-10s worldwide in 2022, including a big win at the BMW PGA Championship on the DP World Tour.

The Irishman got off to a bit of a sluggish start to 2023, but he showed signs of life with T-14th last week at a PGA Tour designated event, the Genesis Invitational.

The 35-year-old ranks second on the PGA Tour in total driving (2nd). He’s also 26th in strokes gained off the tee per round (.502) and fifth in proximity from the rough (36’1”).

Lowry will be going for his sixth made cut in as many appearances at the Honda Classic. He’s improved nearly every year, going from T-53rd in 2016 to T-49th in 2018, T-21st in 2020, T-36th in 2021 and second in 2022.

Last year, he recorded rounds of 70-67-67-67 (-9) and was bogey-free on Sunday.

Aside from the random rain showers, Lowry seems to like PGA National and the change of pace from the usual birdie fests pros see most weeks on the PGA Tour.

"“It’s such a tough test because I feel like personally that too many weeks we play where it’s 20-, 25-under winning tournaments,” Lowry was transcribed by ASAP Sports, “so for me this is more enjoyable than that.”"