The Irish golfer will return to Royal Portrush, the scene of his 2019 triumph, for this year's event and believes that he is capable of winning one of the most famous prizes in the sport for a second time.

Lowry told Golf Monthly magazine: "I know my game is good enough and I definitely don't want it to be one and done as far as this championship is concerned.

"The Covid lockdown obviously meant The Open was cancelled in 2020, so I got to keep the Claret Jug for two years instead of one. But I'd much rather be remembered as a two-time champion rather than a two-year champion!

"And overall my record in the majors is pretty good. I've always felt like I've enjoyed the tougher golf courses and the bigger tournaments most, and they don't come any bigger than the majors. So performing well on that stage brings plenty of satisfaction.

"I'm pretty happy with where my game is at the moment. We'll just have to wait and see if that's good enough at Portrush again."

Lowry enjoyed raucous support from the crowd on the Northern Irish course in 2019 and expects the same to be the case again if any Irish player finds themselves in contention for the title.

He said: "I've got no doubt it will be the same again this year, for me or any of the Irish players who do well.

"Yeah, it brings extra pressure, but it's definitely worth it. It's going to be an incredible event, and I'm just going to be happy to be a part of it."

The world number 18 added: "Look, whatever happens, it's going to be a fantastic occasion.

"You just knew after 2019 that The Open would have to come back to Portrush on a regular basis, because I wasn't the only one who had a blast. All the players were raving about the course, the welcome and the atmosphere.

"We Irish love a party, and there was definitely a mood of celebration sweeping the whole country that week. I'm glad I was able to play my part in that."