Shane Lowry gets Ryder Cup wild card pick

SHANE Lowry got the news he was hoping for on Monday when he was named on the European Ryder Cup squad against the USA.

It had been widely anticipated that the Clara professional would be one of captain, Luke Donald's wild card picks but Monday's announcement lifted a weight off his shoulders.

The English man named Ludvig Aberg, Tommy Fleetwood, Nicolai Højgaard, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose and Sepp Straka as his six Captain’s Picks to complete his 12-man European Team for the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy.

Ranked 37th in the world, Lowry had hoped for automatic qualification but it didn't happen as he had a topsy turvy season. He played well for the most part, earned considerable money but rarely managed to get into contention in events.

He missed out on the Fed-Ex cup play offs in the USA and it all left him relying on a captain's pick. His infectious enthusiam for the Ryder Cup, however, and his ability to perform on big occasions meant that he was always a front runner to be included.

He had three top 20 finishes in majors this year, the best being tied 12th at the US PGA Championship as he finished ninth on the World Points List, 11th on the Europeal one. He competed in the 2020 Ryder Cup in Whistling Straits after getting a captain's pick from fellow Irish man, Padraig Harrington. As Europe were over powered by the USA, Lowry played in three matches and got one point – he was beaten 4 and 2 by Patrick Cantlay in the singles and his point came in the second fourball when him and Tyrrell Hatton beat Harris English and Tony Finnau one up.

The European team is completed by the automatic qualifiers, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Robert MacIntyre, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick

The shootout against the USA takes place in Rome from September 29 to October 1 and it will send Lowry to Kildare's K Club for this week's Irish Open in the very best of form.