Shane Lowry Shines at Irish Open, Jokes About Ryder Cup Pressure

Shane Lowry made an impressive start at the Amgen Irish Open in Kildare, finishing the first round at three-under-par. The Offaly native struggled initially but surged into the top five by shooting four-under-par over his last ten holes. His performance included a spectacular 15-foot putt on the final hole, earning him roaring applause from the crowd.

As he prepared for the tournament, Lowry participated in a Pro-Am competition alongside notable Irish personalities. During a pre-tournament press conference, he discussed his selection for the upcoming Ryder Cup and the challenges of performing in front of a predominantly hostile crowd in the United States, contrasting it with the supportive atmosphere in Rome during the previous tournament.

Lowry’s Wit and Ryder Cup Anticipation

Reflecting on the difference between playing at home and away, Lowry compared it to football rivalries. He noted, “If you’re a Liverpool player playing at Old Trafford or if you’re a Man United player playing at Anfield…,” before humorously adding, “Well, if you’re a Man United player playing at Anfield, you’re probably going to get beaten.” Despite being a fan of Manchester United, Lowry’s quip resonated with the audience, as the club has faced challenges at Anfield in recent years.

Lowry acknowledged the need for different preparation strategies when facing a crowd that will not be cheering for him. “We had 50,000 people cheering for us in Rome, and now we’ll have 50,000 people cheering against us. So it’s going to be different, but we’re going to be very well prepared,” he stated. He highlighted the importance of teamwork, mentioning that he, along with fellow players Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton, would meet to strategize for the upcoming competition.

The atmosphere in the press room lightened further when Lowry was asked about Rory McIlroy’s acting role in “Happy Gilmore 2.” He joked, “My daughter watched that the other day and said Rory’s such a bad actor,” prompting laughter from those present.

Ryder Cup Selection and Team Dynamics

Lowry’s week was particularly significant as he was named one of Team Europe captain Luke Donald‘s picks for the Ryder Cup, which takes place later this month. He narrowly missed automatic qualification after being overtaken by Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard following the British Masters at The Belfry.

Donald praised Lowry’s commitment to the Ryder Cup, stating, “He is a man whose passion for the Ryder Cup is second to none… he understands team above everything else.” Attending the announcement virtually, Lowry expressed his relief, saying, “It’s unbelievable. It’s been a stressful few weeks, a stressful year trying to make the team. Hopefully, I can repay him by producing the goods in a few weeks’ time.”

In addition to Lowry, Donald selected five other golfers: Jon Rahm, Sepp Straka, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg, and Matt Fitzpatrick. They will join automatic qualifiers Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Rasmus Hojgaard, and Tyrrell Hatton in New York later this month, marking a highly anticipated event in the golfing calendar.

With his blend of humor and sportsmanship, Lowry is set to bring his best to the Ryder Cup, ready to face the challenges ahead.