Shane Lowry, one of Europe’s six wildcard picks, says he’s excited to “show people what I’m made of” at the Ryder Cup.
On Monday, Europe’s captain, Luke Donald, named the Irishman, who has not finished in the top 10 since February.
The 36-year-old Lowry is “confident” in his skills despite criticism from LIV Golf player Richard Bland, who said that Poland’s Adrian Meronk deserved to be selected ahead of Lowry.
“Well, people have their opinion,” the 2019 Open winner, Lowry, stated when asked about the criticism he received.
Adrian had a fantastic year, and it’s a shame for him to be left out, but someone’s got to be left out.
Not that I have anything to say against Luke Donald. If he ultimately decides that someone other than Meronk is better for the squad, then that’s his call.
After finishing 11th in the European points list and eighth in the world points list (the top three on each list automatically qualify), Lowry was selected by the captain to make his debut in 2021.
Irishman Tommy Fleetwood will play alongside Tommy Fleetwood, Sepp Straka, Justin Rose, Nicolai Hojgaard, and Ludvig Aberg, as well as automatic qualifiers Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Robert MacIntyre, at Rome’s Marco Simone course from September 29 to October 1.
An obvious pick for the Ryder Cup, Aberg is a generational talent.
Despite being ranked third on the DP World Tour and having won the Italian Open in May on the Ryder Cup course, Meronk was not invited.
With Europe looking to avenge a record 19-9 loss to the United States in Wisconsin two years ago, Lowry admits his form “has not been the greatest” but still has faith in himself to repay Donald’s faith.
Before this week’s Irish Open at The K Club, Lowry said, “If you look at the way the team was picked, there’s not many players playing who weren’t in the top 12.”
So that you can select 12 of the top players, we’ve given you six selections.
As for the Ryder Cup, I believe we have the best 12 European players going to compete, and that we are in good enough shape to win.
Many of our players are, as you have seen over the past few weeks, in top form, and I am confident that we will give it our best go this season.
I know what I can bring to the table, and I have a lot of faith in my own abilities. Even though I haven’t been in top form recently, I’ve been playing some of my best golf at the biggest events, with the Ryder Cup being the biggest of all.
I’m hoping that I can take my talents to Rome and prove everyone wrong.
Harrington: Lowry’s nomination was “never in doubt”
As Lowry’s teammate and captain Padraig Harrington puts it, Lowry’s involvement this time was “never in doubt” after Europe’s loss at Whistling Straits in 2021.
“In my day, I don’t know what they do now, but you look at rounds under pressure,” remarked Harrington.
Sunday rounds at majors are where Shane really shines. While some could claim “his form isn’t great,” Shane simply isn’t interested in competing in a less significant tournament.
He’s done well when the stakes were high, on the biggest golf courses. He’s performed admirably in the majors this year, and that ability to perform under pressure is crucial at the Ryder Cup.
