Open Champion Shane Lowry continues to edge closer to his first Ryder Cup appearance in this year’s contest at Whistling Straits after picking up more points at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
The Irishman, whose next start will be his long-awaited defence of the Claret Jug at Royal St George's Golf Club, finished with his lowest round of the week – a closing 66 – to tie for 23rd place at Mount Juliet.
And while his 10th place position on the World Points List remains unchanged, he has now narrowed the gap between himself and ninth place Victor Perez (who currently occupies the last automatic qualifying spot) to just 2.77 points. As it stands, Perez has 187.37 points, and Lowry has 184.60.
“That was more like it alright," Lowry said of his form on Sunday.
"It was an easy six under today. Nothing really special. It was kind of one of those days where it probably could have been better. I’m happy with a little bit of confidence to take into my week off before Royal St. George's.”
And while he will take the week off to prepare for his Major defence, Perez will be back in action at this week’s abrdn Scottish Open at Renaissance, the second Rolex Series event of the 2021 Race to Dubai, and hoping to gain more points of his own at a place where he finished in a tie for 14th last year.
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Also teeing it up in Scotland is Tommy Fleetwood, who was the only player inside the top ten on either the European Points or World Points list to move in any direction this week thanks to a top 20 at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
The Englishman, who finished his week at Mount Juliet with a one under par 71, solidified his second place position on the European Points List with his tie for 17th, moving to 5,103.80 points.
He also moves above Matthew Fitzpatrick on the World’s Points List with 215.00 to Fitzpatrick’s 213.76, who currently will still take the eighth automatic qualifying spot.
As it stands Jon Rahm (8,515.82 points), Fleetwood (5,103.80 points), Tyrrell Hatton (4,860.56 points) and Rory McIlroy (4,443.77 points) will fill the automatic places on the European Points List.
Hovland (293.06 points), Paul Casey (270.19 points), Lee Westwood (232.48 points), Matthew Fitzpatrick (213.76 points) and Victor Perez (187.37 points) currently occupy the World Points List spots.
Harrington will choose his three Captain’s Picks after the conclusion of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club during the week of September 13, 2021.
