For many Team Europe fans, Shane Lowry is a lock for the Ryder Cup team but for the Irishman himself, he’s been left disappointed by what he found out at this week’s Tour Championship.
Lowry has had another stellar season on the PGA Tour and as it stands, he is in the top six who get an automatic pick for Luke Donald’s team.
However, as it stands, Lowry hasn’t quite qualified just yet. And with just a single auto-pick slot available, Lowry faces a tense battle with the likes of Sepp Straka and Rasmus Hojgaard hot on his heels.
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Nevertheless, a solid performance around East Lake would likely see Lowry home and dry and as expected, in the team for Bethpage Black.
Still, while Lowry can edge closer, he can’t actually confirm his qualification at East Lake and he’s admitted that he didn’t even know until he got to the event.
Shane Lowry disappointed by Ryder Cup news at East Lake
Shane Lowry will be at Bethpage, one way or another.
Luke Donald will pick Lowry even if he doesn’t make the top six but Lowry has still been left a touch annoyed after finding out he can’t seal his place this week.
“Yeah, I only found out about that Monday. I thought I was guaranteed getting points this week. I thought I was going to be pretty much guaranteed on the team. Yeah, I was somewhat disappointed to hear that,” Lowry admitted.
“But the rules were made at the start for qualifying, and that was it. I think I finished four points behind Tyrrell, which is pretty much a shot, which would have been nice. But obviously I don’t know what Rasmus is going to do this weekend, but it looks like he’s probably going to pass me up and I’m going to need a pick next week, so hopefully I get a nice phone call off Luke.
“Yeah, hopefully getting here shows that you’ve had a good year. It’s hard to get to the TOUR Championship. Like I’ve been playing on this tour for, this is probably my 10th season on the PGA TOUR, and it’s only my second time here, so it’s hard to get here.
“Obviously the chat is what the team is going to be like, who’s going to get picked, who’s not. This is with the guys in the locker room, obviously nothing to do with Luke or anyone.
“But yeah, I’d be fairly focused on it, that I want my game to build into it well. Obviously I’m here to do well in the FedEx Cup this week, but I’d like to build my confidence over the next few weeks, over this week, Ireland, Wentworth, then hopefully into Bethpage and help the team as much as I can.”
Shane Lowry will relish the Ryder Cup in New York
Shane Lowry is a player who is all about heart, grit, and determination.
With Bethpage Black expected to be one of the hottest atmospheres we’ve seen on a golf course for years, the Irishman should be in his element.
We’ve seen time and time again how the passion of a Ryder Cup can bring the best out of players and Lowry is a top example of that from the Europe side.
He battled hard in Rome and made some huge putts to help Europe over the line when it mattered.
Now, with just weeks to go until New York, Lowry will once again be ready to go.
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