Open Champion, Shane Lowry has officially ruled out contesting the PGA Tour’s 2020 opening Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii in favour of commencing the New Year by defending the European Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
The Irish golfer confirmed his intentions ahead of contesting this week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland.
Lowry led from start-to-finish earlier this year in winning in the UAE capital to capture a then fourth victory of his pro career.
Then in July, the now 32-year old brilliantly stormed his way to a six-shot victory in the 148th Open Championship, a win that under the auspices of the PGA Tour, qualified him for the January 2nd commencing ‘winner’s only’ Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua in Hawaii.
“I was originally going to start my 2020 season in Hawaii but I am not going to play now, so I will be starting on the PGA Tour in February (25th to 28th February) for the WGC – Mexico Championship,” he said.
“It’s not the States but it is a PGA and European Tour counting event and my first regular PGA Tour event will be the Arnold Palmer Invitational (March 5th to 8th).
“I’m starting my season defending my Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and then contesting the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and then heading to the States.
“I will be in the States up to the end of the PGA Championship (May 14-17).”
Lowry’s news is a great boost for the Tour’s Desert Swing so that both events can now go ahead to promote the appearance of the reigning Open Champion in the 15th staging of the tournament after the bitter disappointment of losing Rory McIlroy to Hawaii earlier this year.
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