Shane Lowry says it is time to get himself “in gear” if he is to secure his spot on Europe’s Ryder Cup team for Adare Manor next year.
The 2019 Open champion is in the field at the Irish Open this week with the qualification process for the 2027 Ryder Cup, to be held in County Limerick from 17-19 September, having commenced last month.
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Irishman Lowry was a member of the European teams in 2021, 2023 and 2025, holing the winning putt in the latter event at Bethpage Black.
The 39-year-old has, however, fallen from 26th to 53rd in the world rankings over the course of 2026 in a season characterised by frustrating near-misses.
While Lowry said performing well in front of an Irish crowd at Doonbeg this week would always be a “carrot dangling”, there is an added significance knowing each tournament between now and next August could bring him closer to the long-held goal of playing in a Ryder Cup on home soil.
“When that was announced, you look at the dates, look at how old you’ll be, and that’s been a big big goal of mine,” Lowry told BBC Sport NI’s Stephen Watson.
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“To be part of a home Ryder Cup team is amazing but to be part of one in Ireland would be very, very cool.
“It goes without saying, Ryder Cup points have started so it’s time to get myself in gear and get on that team. That’s going to be a big part of my motivation over the next 12 months.”
Lowry is one of seven players from the victorious 2025 team who will be teeing it up at the Irish Open this week.
With Adare Manor just 60 miles from Doonbeg, European captain Luke Donald has arranged a meeting of 16 prospective team members at the first Irish course to stage the biennial event since the K Club in 2006.
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Among the group will be potential Ryder Cup rookies Alex Fitzpatrick, Eugenio Chacarra, Kristoffer Reitan and Angel Ayora, although Donald is also keen to get more experienced players acquainted with a venue best known for staging the JP McManus Pro-Am.
“I did some off how strong some of the guys are playing statistically and a few of my own picks,” said Donald of how he decided on the group that will gather on Sunday and Monday.
“I think it’s just an opportunity to see the course. Eight or nine of the guys have never played it. The more we can get out and familiarise ourselves, it’ll stand us in good stead.”
Donald feels the demise of LIV Golf could potentially make his selection process more straightforward this time around.
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The Englishman, who first became captain for 2023 after planned skipper Henrik Stenson switched to the breakaway tour, had LIV players Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm in his team last year, although had to use a wildcard pick on the latter.
After LIV filed for bankruptcy protection in the US on Tuesday, players are now free to leave rather than see out their contracts and the DP World Tour has already said there has been a “high volume” of interest.
That in turn would likely mean prospective team members playing in a greater number of events where Ryder Cup points are on offer.
“I think you always want the six guys who qualify automatically to be the strongest,” Donald added.
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“If that’s Jon and Tyrrell playing more and playing more here where the points are, that gives them more opportunities to qualify. That’s a good thing.”
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