Shane Lowry's coach predicts that the world number 12 has the game to conquer Augusta as he reaches the milestone of a 10th Masters appearance. With The Open returning to Portrush, the scene of his greatest triumph to date, this summer could be an extra-special one for the Clara man. It starts with the drive up Magnolia Lane and the first major of the season, an iconic space that Lowry has become comfortable with in recent years having finished in the top 25 in four of the last five years, including a tied-third place in 2022. After four top 12 finishes worldwide so far this year, including runner-up in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February, the Offaly star is on the verge of breaking into the top 10 in the rankings for the first time. The consistency the 37-year-old has shown in moving back into the top 50 from the end of 2023 to his current strong position should make him a contender from Thursday on. "You can definitely get on runs of form when the game feels very difficult and even your best results aren't what you'd hoped for," said Manchip. "Then the other way around as well, when you're very confident and things are going your way and you think you've got a chance every time you go out. So, quite a fine line. "His whole game is in pretty good shape, he's thinking well and scoring well and the results have come through. So definitely an exciting time to be so highly ranked. It's a great achievement in itself and hopefully a push on to better things.” Lowry's long-time coach Manchip believes that his man has the game to put himself in the frame next week. "The game is there, the skill profile is there and everybody that's teeing it up there next week, all the players who have been there many times, will think that as well," he reflected. "So it's a matter of bringing your best game into the tournament and hoping for the best, navigating your way around the course as best as you can and try and take your chances when you can." Manchip, who is Golf Ireland's high performance director, has been impressed by the elevated level of performance that Lowry has maintained over a sustained period. "It’s certainly up there isn't it," said the Scot. "His level of play is very, very solid, very, very consistent. He’s been in contention a fair bit. And his 10th Masters, it's quite an achievement itself, isn't it? You think of the amount of brilliant professional golfers that will never play in the Masters, it's quite an achievement to play 10 of them.” Manchip will arrive at Augusta early on Sunday afternoon to provide his support and guidance but Lowry has already banked a couple of days on the course, having played rounds on Monday and Tuesday of this week. He showed off some of his short game greatest hits from there on social media in recent days and Manchip says Lowry will zone in the finer detail in his game in the coming days by focusing on his wedge shots, lay-up shorts on 13 and 15, finding good angles going into greens. "A lot of that comes from experience," said Manchip. "So he knows the run of the place and it’s just a matter of getting the game and your head in good shape and getting ready to go next Thursday. "He’ll be playing nine holes Monday, Tuesday – just really look after yourself in the week and not overdo things, especially at major championships. There’s a lot going on and it’s easy to do too much. You’re training not only to get off to a good start on Thursday, but you’re training to be fresh for Sunday as well." If he can get the putter hot then Lowry will be a factor. He has had his frustrations on the greens in recent weeks but will be looking to reach the heights of his PGA Championship third round last year, when he tied the major championship record for lowest 18-hole score (62). Manchip believes that having Bob Rotella, who has worked on Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy's mental game, as part of Lowry's entourage will bolster his bid. “Over the last few years, a few conversations here and there, definitely a really good help," said Manchip, who was speaking at Golf Ireland's season launch. "He's a great guy to have in your corner, to get advice from and just talk through different situations that have arisen and could arise. It's going to be a bumpy road. Things aren't always going to go great, no matter what department of the game we're talking about, so a bit of patience in that regard. “Training as best you can, looking at your expectations of what's going on, and just going through your process as best you can. It's very frustrating at times for anybody - whether it's off the tee, whether it's putting, whatever it is. That’s what is so tough about top-level, professional golf, there’s so many departments to look after. “It's great when everything's going pretty well or quite well, but when things are slightly off it can be frustrating. But the skill is there, you’ve just got to be patient with it, which is a skill itself." Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.