MARK Travers revealed how a chat with former Open champion Shane Lowry helped him see the similarities in mindset between goalkeeping and top-level golf.

Major champion Lowry, who is this week one of the star-studded field to take to the fairways for the US Masters in Augusta, once visited the Ireland squad with the famous Claret Jug following his 2019 Open triumph at Portrush.

For Travers, a keen golfer as a youngster having played off single-figures and was crowned champion of Munster at under-13 level, admitted meeting the five-time European Tour winner was a special moment.

Speaking about chatting to Lowry while on international duty, Travers told the Daily Echo: “That was just after he won the British Open and we were away with the Irish team.

“He came in with the Claret Jug, which was pretty cool and just spoke to everyone.

“He’s obviously a really down to earth, nice guy. He took the time to come in to all the lads and show his achievement, which was really cool.”

He added: “I think to be honest there’s a lot of similarities between a golfer and a goalkeeper, where it can be quite individual at times.

“Not a lot of people probably understand the goalkeeper position, except the people who play it.

“Sometimes you are out there by yourself and you have to have that strong mindset to keep pushing and it’s probably a lot similar to golf – that’s probably something that has helped me doing that as a kid as well.”

While those at the Masters are currently battling for a prime position on the leaderboard, Cherries are into the back nine of their quest to return to the Premier League.

Their next obstacle comes with a trip to Sheffield United tomorrow (12.45pm).

Scott Parker’s men found a hazard in their most recent outing at West Bromwich Albion – and have conceded four goals in their past two games.

Asked whether he took that statistic personally, the keeper replied: “No, I don’t think you can, to be honest. Goals are going to go in, that’s part of football.

“You’re not just going to go and get clean sheets every game and go smoothly. There’s going to be ups and downs and how you can learn from that.

“If you went into every game thinking you would keep a clean sheet, with the greatest, you are not in the right place. You are going to have to expect tough moments.

“It’s up to us to change that and hopefully we can start by doing that on Saturday.”