Shane Lowry arrives at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship knowing a second win in the UAE this year could see him cap a sublime season by topping the European Tour’s Race to Dubai Rankings.
The Irishman has enjoyed his finest year on Tour since turning professional in 2009 , winning a first Rolex Series title at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA at the start of the season, before claiming a historic Major triumph at The 148th Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
“I would have taken your hand off for what I’ve done this year has been – it’s been incredible,” said Lowry. “Not that I didn’t ever think that I could do something like I did. I suppose the big thing is Portrush, and to be able to achieve something like that is just – obviously it’s amazing and it’s like a dream. It’s a dream come true, really.
“But the thing is that I try not to let myself think about it too much and try not to dwell on that. When this week finishes, I’ll be able to sit back with my Claret Jug and be happy with what I have. But I’m trying to do as well as I can this week.”
The World No.19 comes into the tournament 1,481.5 points behind Race to Dubai leader, Bernd Wiesberger, but with 2000 points on offer for the champion over the Earth course this week, Lowry can be crowned European Tour Number One with victory at Jumeirah Golf Estates if the Austrian finishes lower than tied second with at least one other player.
“I suppose I’ve not really thought about winning the Race to Dubai before the last few months,” he said. “I did have a chance here in 2015, if I won the tournament, I could have won the Race to Dubai. I’m in a similar situation this week. I ended up finishing fifth that year.
“It would be great. You look at the names that are on the trophy and the people that have won it, I think anybody who is anybody in golf has won that trophy. Obviously, it would be really, really nice. It would be icing on the cake to cap off what is a good year.” – Shane Lowry
Despite the prospect of becoming the first Irishman since Padraig Harrington in 2006 to lift the historic Harry Vardon Trophy, Lowry remains calm ahead of potentially one of the biggest week’s in his golfing career and insists he will be happy whatever the outcome.
“There are some very good players up there and I think it’s going to be quite difficult to do – it will be quite difficult to win this tournament,” he said. “There’s a world-class field here this week.
“I’m going to go out and give my best this week and no matter what happens, I will be sitting back next week with a Major trophy in my cabinet this year, and I’ll be happy with what I have. But it would be incredible to add European No. 1 to that list, as well.”
