Shane Lowry is ready to kickstart his journey to the 2027 Ryder Cup this week.
The former Open champion begins his quest for an automatic spot on Team Europe at this weekend’s Irish Open.
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Lowry is ready to start his road to the 2027 Ryder Cup this weekendCredit: Getty
Lowry has slipped from 26th to 53rd in the world rankings since the start of the year.
However, his goal of featuring at Adare Manor next year dates back to 2019.
The 39-year-old has revealed he has been targeting the event since the host venue was announced seven years ago.
Adare Manor will become the first Irish course to host the Ryder Cup since it was held at the K Club back in 2006.
READ MORE GOLF NEWSLowry’s Ryder Cup goal
Team Europe qualification for next year’s edition of the team event began last month, with six automatic spots on Luke Donald’s roster up for grabs.
This weekend marks the first chance for Lowry to put himself into contention.
Speaking ahead of the Irish Open, he explained: “When that was announced, you look at the dates, look at how old you’ll be, and that’s been a big big goal of mine.
“To be part of a home Ryder Cup team is amazing, but to be part of one in Ireland would be very, very cool.
“It goes without saying, Ryder Cup points have started so it’s time to get myself in gear and get on that team.
“That’s going to be a big part of my motivation over the next 12 months.”
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Lowry has been targeting next year’s Ryder Cup at Adare Manor since 2019Credit: Getty
The top six players on the Team Europe points list on August 22, 2027 will earn a place on Donald’s team.
He will then select a further six captain’s picks to complete the line-up.
Lowry is a veteran of three previous Ryder Cups, winning in both 2023 and 2025 with Donald as captain.
The Irishman also made the winning putt for Europe at Bethpage Black last year.
He is one of seven members from the 2025 team competing at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg this week.
Lowry will begin his opening round alongside Jon Rahm and Patrick Reed at 1.45pm on Thursday.
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Lowry made the winning putt for Team Europe at last year’s Ryder CupCredit: Getty
A win this weekend would be his second at the Irish Open, having done so as an amateur back in 2009.
However, Lowry is without a solo event victory since the 2022 BMW PGA Championship four years ago.
Ryder Cup scouting mission
Following the Irish Open, Donald is set to run the rule over four potential Ryder Cup rookies at Adare Manor.
The course is located just 60 miles from this weekend’s tournament.
A 16-man get-together has been planned at the site of next year’s event ahead of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
Although the full line-up has not yet been confirmed, Donald has revealed the four rookies who will be present.
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Donald is hosting 16 players at Adare Manor next week ahead of the 2027 Ryder CupCredit: Getty
He told reporters on Wednesday that Eugenio Chacarra, Kristoffer Reitan, Alex Fitzpatrick and Angel Ayora will all attend.
Chacarra has already won twice on the DP World Tour in 2026, whilst fellow Spaniard Ayora has already attracted considerable hype at just 21-years-old.
As for Fitzpatrick, he has wins on both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour this year, having earned PGA Tour status by winning the Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside his brother Matt.
Reitan is also a winner on the PGA Tour this season following his triumph at the Truist Championship back in May.
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Along with Lowry and Rahm, a further five members of the 2025 European Ryder Cup team are in the field at the Irish Open.
Robert MacIntyre, Rory McIlroy, Tyrell Hatton, Sepp Straka and Rasmus Hojlund are all involved and could be part of the group at Adare Manor.