Shane Lowry admits that he slept it out and missed the dramatic finale that saw his close friend Padraig Harrington claim the US Senior Open title last Sunday.
Dubliner Harrington saw his six shot lead at the turn reduced to one in the end by Steve Stricker but he held on to claim his first senior major title.
"I fell asleep," laughed Lowry. "When I woke up, Wendy said he won.
"I was like, 'oh, great,' and I thought he won easy. Then I checked his scorecard the following day, and I realised it wasn't as easy as I thought it was going to be!
"But, yeah, it was great. I said to him, 'you're hardly coming out saying it was major number four now, are you, what's the story?'.
"No, it's great for him - and it's great for him to come back here the week after with us.
"And, yeah, I told him it was about time he did that out there.
"Does he think he can compete this week and does he think he can compete at St Andrews? Absolutely.
"I think that will just give him confidence."
The pair will compete in the Horizon Irish Open this week. Tournament favourite Lowry tees off on Thursday morning at 8am along with Seamus Power and Tyrrell Hatton.
Harrington starts his challenge at 1pm tomorrow alongside Thomas Pieters and defending champion Lucas Herbert.
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