In a bizarre turnaround Shane Lowry was first going to Denmark but then he wasn’t and now he will in a goal to earn a European Ryder Cup ‘wildcard’ pick.
Lowry arrives back in Dublin Monday morning local time after posting a final round 67 for an eight under par tally in the Wyndham Championship at Greensboro, North Carolina.
But moments after his round Lowry spoke of the disappointment following Saturday’s third day 70 and began questioning why he was considering a 15,000 round trip from the U.S. to Denmark for Thursday’s starting Made in Denmark event.
Shane Lowry now headed to Denmark after some post Wyndham Championship final round indecision. (Photo – www.golfbtyourmiss.com)
Even though the top nine qualifiers have been decided the Danish tournament is the very last qualifying event for the European Ryder Cup team.
So by travelling to Denmark Lowry will be hoping it might prompt Darren Clarke to offer him a ‘wildard’ pick when Clarke is set to announce his three picks at noon (Irish time) on 30th August.
As well, Clarke is competing in Denmark and it would also possibly allow Lowry to chat with Clarke about his Hazeltine aspirations.
It meant Lowry having to change his travel plans and cancel taking the one-hour flight north to JFK airport ahead of competing in this week’s Barclays Championship and the opening event of the lucrative FedEx Cup Play-Off Series.
But that was not the scenario as he headed to the Sedgefield club locker room remarking: “I was just a bit annoyed when I finished my round on Saturday and I just thought to myself why do I need to go to Denmark when in the bigger picture wherever I play next week I need to win if I am to impress Darren (Clarke) for a pick.
“I’ve always said that I feel I perform my best on the bigger stage and for me the Barclays Championship later this week is a bigger stage.”
However, Lowry’s long-time manager, Conor Ridge then intervened and after some discussion confirmed Lowry will take his place in Denmark.
“Shane phoned me straight after his Wyndham final round and we discussed what he should do,” said Ridge.
“I could understand how disappointed he was following Saturday’s round as trying to make the European Ryder Cup team has been a big goal of Shane’s all season.
“Shane received a great lift in that goal with his second place finish in the U.S. Open but then since he knows his results haven’t been as expected.
“But then we spoke about his efforts this past week at the Wyndham as they were very encouraging and if you look at his four rounds he had 20 birdies over the four days.
“That’s something he found very pleasing so he’s going to take that form now to Denmark and will return to the States a week later for the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston.”
In speaking about his four days in North Carolina, Lowry said he was delighted with his play.
“I made plenty of birdies this week and that’s a good sign,” he said.
“It always gets a bit frustrating when you’re not making birdies and this is a golf course, as we have seen all week with a round of 60 and then Lucas (Glover) shooting a 61 where you can score.
“I played some real nice shots out there and my game is right there and right where I need it to be.
“So I’m happy with how my week went and it’s a tournament I will seriously consider adding to my schedule next year.”
Graeme McDowell, who is also looking to impress Clarke for a ‘wildcard’ pick had picked up three birdies over his outward nine to remain on target for a hopeful top-5 finish.
