'The Two Best Players In The World Are European' - Shane Lowry

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 12 January 2023

Shane Lowry believes Europe have the “two best players” in the world ahead of the Ryder Cup later on this year, taking place at Rome's Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.

The Irishman will be aiming to qualify for his second Ryder Cup after winning one point from his three matches during the 2021 event at Whistling Straits in which Europe suffered a 19-9 defeat – their heaviest loss in the competition since 1967.

Ahead of this week’s Hero Cup, which is acting as a warm up for the main event in September, Lowry spoke about new talent emerging and forcing their way into Luke Donald’s plans, while praising Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy.

“Obviously, I want to be a part of Luke’s team in Rome, and 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,” Lowry said this week at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

“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.”

Rahm and McIlroy aren’t in either team this week however they have been in excellent form recently and, as long as they stay injury free, are guaranteed to lead Europe in Rome. The Spaniard claimed a stunning comeback victory at the Sentry Tournament of Champions last week while McIlroy remains World No.1 following a stellar last six months.

There is of course the uncertainty regarding whether LIV Golf defectors can play in the Ryder Cup. The US team have confirmed that there will be no LIV players on their team in September, however with no players from the Saudi-backed series in the Hero Cup, Luke Donald is perhaps following along the same path. A court case next month will decide the fate of the Europeans who play in LIV.

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Ross Kilvington is a freelance writer from Scotland who has had his work published by acclaimed publications such as Nutmeg alongside popular online blogs including the Gentleman Ultra, North Section and Engrossed in Football. Ross holds a passionate interest in golf and tries to play as often as possible, although having two daughters under the age of four means his quest to break 80 will have to wait a little bit longer. He writes about golf in his spare time, most recently having an article published in the Golf Memories anthology Mind the Links, which was released in July with all proceeds going towards Alzheimer charities. With a handicap that floats between 13-14, highlights are few and far between on the golf course, with an eagle on the par 4 16th at Kinghorn one that stands out (it doesn’t matter that it was only 290 yards!).

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