Shane Lowry calls on young guns to help McIlroy and Rahm amid LIV uncertainty

Shane Lowry claims Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy are the two best players in the world ahead of the Hero Cup on the DP World Tour.

Ben Smith's picture
Thu, 12 Jan 2023
Shane Lowry calls on young guns to help McIlroy and Rahm amid LIV uncertainty

Shane Lowry says Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy are currently the best players in the world as he called on Europe's young guns to "step up" when it's go-time at the Ryder Cup. 

Lowry was selected to be part of the Great Britain and Ireland side led by Tommy Fleetwood in this week's Hero Cup. 

It will be seen as a good chance for European players to bond ahead of the Ryder Cup in September. 

Related: Zach Johnson isn't ruling out Tiger for Ryder Cup place

Lowry was part of Padraig Harrington's side that was humbled 19-9 by the trail-blazing U.S side at Whistling Straits. 

The former champion golfer of the year wants a chance to put that right. 

He previously revealed that his wife Wendy was on the receiving end of "dog's abuse" during his Sunday Singles match against Patrick Cantlay.

Spain's Rahm - who recently claimed his eighth PGA Tour victory - will lead the charge for Luke Donald's men alongside 33-year-old McIlroy. 

Lowry, 35, told the media in Abu Dhabi:

"Obviously, I want to be a part of Luke's team in Rome.
 "I feel like if this gives me any little bit of an edge in Rome, if I'm there, I need to be playing here." 

It remains to be seen what involvement LIV Golf players will have at the Ryder Cup. 

Regardless of a court ruling next month which will determine whether the DP World Tour has the legal power to ban players, it appears as though they will in all likelihood be overlooked. 

Ominously, three Spanish LIV pros weren't selected for the Hero Cup despite some ranking higher than those chosen. 

This was highlighted by DP World Tour pro Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, who questioned the exclusion of Adrian Otaegui, Adri Arnaus and Pablo Larrazabal. 

This week one Ryder Cup Europe icon - Ian Poulter - lashed out at the DP World Tour for forgetting his and Sergio Garcia's birthday.  

Lowry described Europe as currently undergoing a "transitional period", adding: 

"I think it was always going to be that way if you look at The Ryder Cups over the last ten years, I think we have -- the two best players in the world are European players at the minute I feel with Jon and Rory.
"It's up to us, the rest of the lads to get our game to a level where we are good enough to win The Ryder Cup at the end of the year.
"It's great for the younger lads that are here this week to be around the likes of Francesco and Tommy and myself and Tyrrell and lads like that and to have Paul McGinley and José Maria and Edoardo and Luke here is pretty good." 

Lowry continued: 

"I feel like we have the bonds of a very strong team come September, and I hope that we all step up when it comes to it.
"And like I say, one of my main goals this year is to win The Ryder Cup and I hope to be a part of that team and hoping to there and hopefully win it back."

The 47th Ryder Cup will take place at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, Italy over 29 September - 1 October. 

Next page: Former European Ryder Cup captain slams "archaic" dress codes

shane lowry