Ryder Cup: Shane Lowry acknowledges that he is still not sure if LIV Golf members should be allowed to compete in the Ryder Cup, but he would welcome their inclusion if it might help Team Europe win in Rome.
Before the Rolex Series event, Lowry claimed he “can’t stand” the LIV Golf Invitational Series, which featured 18 players from Saudi Arabia. Lowry referred to his victory at the BMW PGA Championship in September as “one for the good guys” because of this.
At Marco Simone GC, the first Ryder Cup qualification event for this year was also taking place. Lowry was eager to qualify for Luke Donald’s European team after playing for Padraig Harrington in the record-setting 19-9 loss at Whistling Straits.
While American players on the Saudi-sponsored circuit are suspended by the PGA Tour, LIV players can now qualify for Team Europe in Italy through the DP World Tour. When questioned whether these players should be permitted to participate in the biennial competition, Lowry responded diplomatically.
Before the Honda Classic, Lowry said, “I can’t sit here and say whether I think they [LIV Golf members] should or shouldn’t [be permitted to feature at the Ryder Cup]. The way things are right now, I might be on the squad with one, two, or many of them in September.”
“If they play So it’s evident that this is a really interesting time.
“I’m not sure if they ought to or shouldn’t. That’s just sort of how I am right now. Even so, I can’t really express my opinion because it wouldn’t be good for the team if I were a member and there was animosity between us.
“Team Europe and the Ryder Cup are both very important to me, and I’ll do everything in my ability to be a part of something great in September. I’ll be a happy, happy man on Sunday if we’re holding the Ryder Cup trophy, whether or not there are any guys participating in it.”
The world’s No. 35 Thomas Pieters, who led Team Europe in scoring at Hazeltine in 2016 and was a potential candidate to compete this year, was one of the newest players signed on Monday for the LIV Golf League in 2023.
The six-time DP World Tour champion joins a strong European contingent in the 48-player league, which also includes Ryder Cup veterans Lee Westwood, Paul Casey, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, and Sergio Garcia.
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