Shane Lowry has been given a timely reprieve by a little known loophole which will extend his season and guarantee him a place in the two playoff events on the DP World Tour.
Lowry is teeing it up in the inaugural DP World India Championship today and it appeared that he needed a top-5 finish to make the top-70 to play in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship or the top-50 for the DP World Tour Championship.
However, the Offaly man who is 155th in the Race to Dubai rankings has been given a spot in the two playoff events having appeared for Europe in the Ryder Cup. All 12 players have been given exemptions the tour have confirmed.
This ruling is also music to the ears of Ludvig Aberg (72nd), Tommy Fleetwood (94th) and Sepp Straka (147th).
This appears a smart move with as many of Europe’s heroes from Bethpage Black now guaranteed a spot in the playoffs irrespective of their performances over the next two weeks.
Delhi Golf Club will provide a unique challenge for the players this week. An old style golf course very much against the modern day nature of the game. Rory McIlroy might not hit driver this week while Lowry expects to hit the big stick twice.
“It’s refreshing to play a golf course like this,” said the 2019 Open champion. “We play so many golf courses now and don’t even think about it and just hit driver every hole.
“I think I have two drivers a day this week and I was talking to people who won’t hit driver at all. It’s just an old school golf course, it’s very tight off the tee and it’s going to be enjoyable to play.
Lowry will enjoy that element of freedom this week but the same can’t be said for Conor Purcell who needs a top-2 finish to climb into the top-115 on the Race to Dubai which is the cut off for card retention.
A top-5 might extend his season by a week and give him a spot in the Korea Championship next week.
