Yes, the Ryder Cup is still six months away but in two match-play format events this year, Shane Lowry has struggled.
It’s not stating Lowry won’t be travelling to Italy but after his efforts in the UAE capital and now following two rounds in the Texas seat of government, Lowry’s been found wanting if he seeks to be on September’s charter flight to the Italian capital for Septembers Match in Rome.
Lowry’s lost both his WGC – Dell Match-Play encounters, first to Taylor Montgomery and then going down uncomfortably 4&3 against Canadian Mackenzie Hughes
After bogeying the opening hole, Lowry was never in the match with his only highlight in winning the 12th hole with an eagle putt to be 3 down but then in a two-shot turnaround at the next, Lowry bogeyed and the 52nd seed in this final hosting of the match-play went back to 4up with a birdie ahead of the match ending when both players birdied 15.
Lowry’s second defeat in as many matches means he’ll be playing for pride in today’s final round robin encounter against fellow Open Champion Jordan Spieth given, if he does beat his Texas rival, the Irishman cannot progress.
As for Hughes? He now faces Montgomery clearly buoyed in beating someone of Lowry’s golfing calibre.
“It certainly gives you a boost,” said Hughes when asked what it was like in beating someone of Lowry’s calibre.
“For sure it does. I’ve seen nice things in my game, even yesterday losing to Jordan, that I’ve liked, and today same good things, but obviously nicer to come out with a win, and certainly gives you a boost beating a guy like Shane Lowry who’s an Open Champion and has a great resume.
“Those are always feathers in the cap.”
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