BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

September 7, 2022

Shane Lowry

Wentworth Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Ryder Cup qualification starting; desperate to be part of that team again?

SHANE LOWRY: Yeah, absolutely. It's certainly one of my main goals for the next 12 months, not only to be a part of the team but go to Rome and win the trophy. I think something I haven't done in my career so far, so it's definitely something that I want to achieve and yeah, all roads lead to Rome from here for me. Obviously I want to win big tournaments and do well in big tournaments. I'd clearly love to be on that team next year.

Q. There's a little bit of tension this week. What are your personal thoughts on having those players here?

SHANE LOWRY: Obviously, look, this is a big talking point in the world of golf, and I'm here this week. I personally I can't say I'm 100 percent okay with everyone being last year but there's some of the guys I kind of don't mind them being here given what they have done for the Tour over the years.

There are certain guys I just can't stand them being here to be honest. I don't like it that they are here. I think to be honest, the one thing that has really annoyed me over the last few months is how disruptive they are all trying to be, and then to -- get here and get World Ranking points and do that, I think in a way they are here for that and to be disruptive.

I don't think they are here for anything else. Obviously they are here for World Ranking points somewhat but they are here to be disruptive and I don't like it. It's the BMW PGA Championship and BMW have been so good to us over the years and it's all we are standing here talking about and I feel like we should be talking about how great Wentworth is and how big the tournament and how these guys are here and doesn't deserve to be here.

Q. Has there been any tension? Would you shake their hands if you saw them?

SHANE LOWRY: The Europeans? Anybody that knows me I don't like confrontation or any of that stuff. I'll say hello and do my thing. That's the way I'll be. Obviously the lads, I've known them for years and some of them became quite good friends over the last few years.

But obviously I haven't seen them in a long time now. Don't hang out with them anymore. Probably won't be going out for dinner because we haven't seen each other. But yeah there are certain lads that I shake hands with and certain hands I wouldn't.

Q. Fair to say the leading European Tour players, the likes of yourselves, Tommy, you don't want those guys on The Ryder Cup Team next year either?

SHANE LOWRY: I'm not going to say too much about that because who knows what's going to happen, I think in February is the court date or something, are they going to be allowed to play The Ryder Cup. I can't see how they are going to make the team to they are going to need a pick; whether Luke wants to pick them or not.

For me, I just want to be on the team. I think without those guys, we still have a good team and we still have a good team. With all due respect to a lot of those guys over at LIV, I think they know themselves and that's why they went to LIV. Their Ryder Cup days are probably over. Whether it be -- obviously they are lined up as next captains but there's not too many of them that would have too many Ryder Cups.

Look, I don't know. I don't know what's going to happen. This is the thing, and this is the thing that actually gets to me is the unknown of it all and the uncertainty.

To be honest if I put myself in those guys shoes, I would be here this week? No, it's too uncomfortable for me. It is what it is. Like I said it's the BMW PGA Championship, the biggest event in Europe and we would be talking about that and we are not. It's disappointing.

Q. You're the most under par around here than anyone else this week. What is it about this place?

SHANE LOWRY: I just love it. I think it's got a major field about it. It's a tournament that I love playing and I've done well in the past, and I'd love to win. It's our Flagship Event, and I'd love to put my name on that trophy with a lot of the great players.