Players who have spent tens of millions to hundreds of million dollars joining LIV Golf often use the “grow your game” cliché. Shane Lowry and other players who turned down cash from the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf are tired of the cliché response.
Lowry, 36 years old, spoke about his Ryder Cup teammate Jon Rahm leaving LIV Golf and his future Ryder Cup position at an event for the Irish Open in September at Royal County Down, Northern Ireland, on Thursday.
Lowry said to the Irish Independent, “I think that what Jon said about expanding the game and other stuff is obviously what they have had to say.” They’ve signed the dotted-line. The communications team has told them that they have no choice but to say this when asked. They now own you.
He added . “I’m not sure if (golf’s image has been damaged) but I don’t think people are going to listen to a guy who spent his hard-earned cash to buy clubs, join a club and play golf on weekends. It’s difficult for them to hear a man who is already worth what he says and does this to feed his family.”
Rahm has said he will not give up his DP World Tour membership to remain eligible for the Ryder Cup. Lowry is hopeful that the Spaniard will be in good enough shape to qualify for 2025’s event at Bethpage Black, New York.
Lowry explained that Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia, as well as Lee Westwood, were unable to play in the Ryder Cup because they had resigned from their respective clubs. Lowry said that certain players would have made the team had they performed well enough. But they didn’t. I’m sure Rahmbo will be able to play well enough for the team. If he does not resign, he could still make it.
Lowry, unlike his other European teammate Viktor Hovland did not criticize the PGA Tour and its leadership for their mismanagement of LIV Golf’s threat. He said, “Many players have a variety of opinions about the leadership of this tour.” I do not consider myself intelligent enough to comment on the running of a billion dollar organization.
Since his Irish Open win in 2009, the 2019 Champion Golfer has won two times on the PGA Tour. He also has six wins on the DP World Tour. Lowry has also been a member of Team Europe twice and has a 2-3-1 record against the United States in this biennial match.
