Shane Lowry reveals the one Ryder Cup line that can't be crossed ahead of fearsome Bethpage task
Irish star hopes to be with Luke Donald's team in New York and offers key insight into the week ahead for Europe's elite
Shane Lowry reckons Europe are going to have their Bethpage backers as he revealed the one major Ryder Cup no-no for New York.
The Irish star is aiming to be part of Luke Donald’s side as they seek a famous triumph over the United States on Long Island.
Right now, Lowry is in an automatic qualifying position, but could be overhauled by Dane Rasmus Hojgaard for the final guaranteed spot and may still require a pick from the skipper to ensure he's party of the 12-man line-up.
Although he’s personally taking nothing for granted, the former Open champion’s form over the course of the season would make him a surefire selection in the eyes of most observers outside of the camp and give him the opportunity to repeat his Rome win and also avenge the heavy Euro setback four years ago at Whistling Straits.
Lowry knows it’ll be tough for Donald’s boys at Bethpage having gone through the bitter experience of Wisconsin as he recalled: “Yeah, there was no Europeans there. If you lived in America you could go, but it was Covid and nobody travelled.
“I think when you’re prepared for something it’s a lot easier to deal with. I think we’ll be prepared for it. So when you’re prepared for what we’re going to get, when you’re prepared for the worst, I think you’d be able to deal with anything, whereas if you’re at a regular event and someone heckles you, it kind of come out of nowhere and that kind of is a little bit whatever. But, I think when you’re prepared for it, you’ll be okay. We’ll prepare for it. We’ll be all right.”
Asked what could be the worst that could happen, Lowry said: “I think if it gets personal towards your family, that’s the only thing, your wife or whatever that’s there.
"I think that’s the only thing that could really hurt you. Nothing towards me will hurt me. I’ve heard it all.”
Lowry smiled at Rome team-mate and pal Bob MacIntyre’s recent shush act to the Maryland crowd during the BMW Championship as he went head-to-head with Scottie Scheffler and stated: “Yeah, that was cool what Bob did and obviously playing with Scottie and stuff. We have a lot of fans in America, as well, as players because we play here full time and we live here. Obviously they’re not going to be our fans that week, but I still think there’s a lot of guys in our team that are very popular with American people. That can help us along the way as well.”
Lowry hopes to be involved and said: “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 FedExCup 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.
“I thought I was guaranteed getting points this week. I thought I was going to be pretty much guaranteed on the team. I was somewhat disappointed to hear that, but the rules were made at the start for qualifying and that was it. I think I finished four points behind Tyrrell [Hatton], which is pretty much a shot, which would have been nice. 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.
“Hopefully getting here shows that you’ve had a good year. It’s hard to get to the TOUR Championship. 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.”