Welcome to the Golf Podcast section. This will prove to be our busiest section over the coming weeks and months and the place to get your golfing update each week.

In the final and most exciting episode of The 3 Irish Open golf podcast show T 2 Green, Shane talks to all the key members in Team Lowry and some notable Irish figures in the immediate aftermath of Shane Lowry making history on the 18th green at Baltray.

Talking to Shane after the thrilling 3 hole sudden death play-off are:

An Taoiseach and fellow Offalyman Brian Cowen. - Caddie Dave`Shaper' Reynolds - Minister for Arts, Sports & Tourism MartinCullen - Rory McIlroy - Gofling Union of Ireland National Coach Neil Manchip - Robert Finnegan CEO of 3 - Minister for Justice and member of Co. Louth G.C. Dermot Ahern - Shane Lowry's girlfriend Deirdre Molloy - 3 Irish Open Champion Shane Lowry - Hon. Secretary of the Golfing Union of Ireland Albert Lee

The 3 Big Names in Irish Golf

RORY MCILROY

Shane first saw Rory play at the Irish Boys Championship in 2003. The following Easter, as a fourteen-year-old, he shone through as Irish golf’s newest prodigy, when he blitzed the mens’ field at the 2004 West Of Ireland Amateur Championship.

Take a listen to the interview that Rory gave Shane at that Championship and marvel at his maturity and confidence for one so young.

To watch a TV feature that Shane presented and reported on about Rory for RTE the following year in 2005, click on the Golf section above and take a look at the video section.

PADRAIG HARRINGTON

Shane played on the Boys circuit with little or no success. However, he did take note of those who could really play and the best of his era on the Junior circuit (1986-1988) was undoubtedly Padraig Harrington.

Take a listen to the podcast from 2002, when they met up and talked about his most recent win at St Andrews in the Dunhill Links Challenge. Shane began by reminding Padraig of his first Boys Championship experience.

Elsewhere, take a look at an interview that Shane did with Padraig in late December 2008 for RTE Television. Excerpts of this interview were used in a tribute that was put together to celebrate his magnificent year. In our golf video section however, you can view the whole, unedited interview.

Meanwhile, if you get a chance, please take the time to read a cover story about Padraig from Golf Digest Ireland that Shane wrote in March 2003.

GRAEME MCDOWELL

Shane first saw Graeme McDowell in action at the 1999 Leinster Youths Championship in Lucan, where he finished runner-up to Mick McGeady (now on the Challenge Tour). Shane was there to support his friend Mark Murphy of Waterville, who eventually finished third.

In the maiden episode of ‘T 2 Green’ Graeme talks to Shane about his recent experience at Augusta National, his preparations ahead of his defence of the Ballantine’s Championship in South Korea (where Shane will be commentating for ESPN Asia) and he gets GMAC’s thoughts on returning to Europe to play in The 3 Irish Open at Baltray G.C. May 14-17.

The T 2 Green podcast will be updated at midday every Wednesday. Upcoming this week will be guests Sam Torrance and Rugby icon Keith Wood.