Ryder Cup star had perfect response after ‘leaked’ pick prompted outrage
Ryder Cup captain's picks always generate huge debate and the build-up to this weekend's showdown at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome was no different.
For the Americans, Zach Johnson's selection of an out-of-form Justin Thomas over the likes of Keegan Bradley and Cameron Young to complete his team was slammed by many golf fans. In Europe, much of the debate centred on the commission of Adrian Meronk, ranked 51st in the world.
The Pole had a strong 2023, including a win at the Italian Open on the same track that the teams will battle on this weekend, but he did not do enough to earn one of Luke Donald's six captain's picks. Instead, the Englishman put his faith in the likes of veterans like Justin Rose and Shane Lowry as well as rookies Ludvig Aberg and Nicolai Hojgaard.
The selection of Irishman Lowry upset LIV Golf rebel Richard Bland, in particular, who leaked news of Meronk's omission on September 4, moments before Donald's captain's picks were revealed. The 2021 British Masters champion wrote on Instagram : "Hearing Adrian Meronk (is) not getting picked. Wins (the) Italian Open at the Ryder Cup course, third in DP World rankings! Deserves a pick over an out-of-form Lowry in my opinion!"
Lowry was one of Europe's best performers at a miserable Ryder Cup for Padraig Harrington's team in 2021, with the USA dominating from start to finish at Whistling Straits. But after a strong 2022 season that included the BMW Championship title at Wentworth, the 2019 Open champion's form dipped this year, going winless and lacking his best form in the big events.
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But he received a vote of confidence from Donald and Lowry issued a firm response to his critics at the Irish Open earlier this month.
Shane Lowry had a message for his critics after being named among Luke Donald's six captain's picks for the Ryder Cup. (Getty Images)"People have their opinion," the 36-year-old said. "Adrian has had a great year and obviously he's unfortunate to miss out, but somebody has to miss out. I'm not going to sit here and disagree with Luke Donald. It was his decision at the end of the day, if he thinks that somebody else is better for this team than he (Meronk) was."
"I personally think that's the right way to go about it and I think we have the best 12 players from Europe coming to play this Ryder Cup, and I think we're in form. I'm very confident in my own ability, and I know what I can bring.
"My form probably has not been the greatest, but in some of the bigger events I've played some of my best golf and there's nothing bigger than the Ryder Cup. Hopefully, I can go to Rome and show people what I'm made of."
Donald showed yet more faith in Lowry on the eve of the tournament, selecting him to play in the Friday foursomes alongside Sepp Straka in the third match of the session against Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa.
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