Shane Lowry has boosted interest in next month’s rescheduled Dubai Duty Free Irish Open with the real likelihood of teeing-up at the Galgorm Resort in Ballymena.
Lowry intends to remain in Stateside up to and including the September 17th to 20th U.S. Open and then return home to Ireland for the following week’s Irish Open.
Lowry spoke of his plans to return home, and in what will be a first visit since early February, soon after securing a place in this week’s Northern Trust on the southern outskirts of Boston.
The event is the first of a three-event FedEX Cup ‘Play-Off Series’ and with Lowry muscling his way into the field by ending the ‘regular’ season 122nd on the money list and just three places inside the qualifying criteria.
Though Lowry’s only concern in returning home is a upsurge in new COVID-19 cases in Ireland.
The European Tour announced last week the rescheduling of Ireland’s premier event from Mt. Juliet to Galgorm Resort, and where all those teeing-up in the event can be accommodated and stay within ‘the bubble’.
“My plan is to play the Irish Open, but we’ll see what happens,” said Lowry.
“My plan is actually to go back to Ireland that week anyway after the U.S. Open.
“There’s been quite a few cases over the last few days in Ireland. So, look, I don’t want to make any decisions, was it, six weeks out. I’ll make them over the next couple weeks.”
Lowry brilliantly burst onto the international golfing stage while still in an amateur in capturing the 2009 Irish Open at Baltray and the Clara golfer has very proudly contested every Irish Open since with a best finish of T5th at Carton House in 2013.
However, Lowry revealed he has never played the Galgorm course located around a 30-minute drive from Belfast.
“I’ve never been there but then I’ve heard it’s nice, heard it’s a lovely hotel and good golf course, so yeah,” he said.
“We’ll be in the European Tour bubble, that’s a bit tighter than this one over here, so yeah.”
And speaking of trips, Lowry had a journey planned of another kind had he not qualified for the PGA Tour ‘Play-Offs’ and that was spending time with friends at Rhode Island, and also just a short drive, as well, from this week’s TPC Boston host venue.
“If I did not qualify for the Northern Trust, I was planning to spend the week with them but I may go over there anyway,” he said.
“It’s not far from where we are this week. I’m now playing Boston this week and if I don’t get in Chicago next week for the BMW Championship, I’ll stay on in Rhode Island. I won’t have to go too far, so yeah.
“We will play a lot of golf, yeah. I don’t know the golf courses up there but wherever they’ll let us out. Any golf course up there, they’re more than welcome to let us out.”
