The 2016 Ryder Cup was pencilled in to be Shane Lowry's debut in the competition.
A win at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational last season, followed by a second place finish at the US Open in June, the Offaly native looked set to make his bow at Hazeltine later this month.
The Oakmont performance at the US Open, was to be the peak of Lowry's summer, as a loss in form culminated in him missing out for the event. Captain Darren Clarke announced his three wildcard picks on Tuesday afternoon. Lowry was not one of them.
The final twelve. #TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/Iu0vMk9Pe7
— Ryder Cup Team EUR (@RyderCupEurope) August 30, 2016
After his second place finish at the US Open, it seemed unthinkable that Lowry would not be joining Europe's elite in Minnesota. Alas, it was not meant to be.
Writing in his column for the Irish Times, Lowry has already vowed to qualify for the team in two years time. France will host the Ryder Cup for the first time as Le Golf National, just outside Paris, will welcome 24 of the best golfers in the World.
Clarke rang the Offaly golfer on Monday, Lowry claimed. The news was not what he wanted to hear, but he accepted it with good grace.
"At the end of the day, it’s my own fault. Darren was right. I didn’t perform when it mattered."
Despite Clarke's omission of him, Lowry feels he could have still performed in Hazeltine. Europe have not lost on American soil since 2008.
"I wouldn’t have feared anyone going out on a Sunday afternoon singles. And the way my game plays, I am a very good driver of the ball and my short game is really good. It suits foursomes and fourballs. I thought I would have been an addition. Obviously, he didn’t feel that way. I accept it."
The former Irish Open champion will watch the event as a fan. but will harbour regrets of what could have been. Hazeltine was meant to be Lowry's time. He will have to wait until Paris to thrive at the Ryder Cup.
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