Shane Lowry’s good news start to his new season continues with confirmation he will contest next fortnight’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
The reigning Abu Dhabi HSBC champion will tee-up in the event starting February 7th on the famed Pacific Ocean washed course that in June will also host the U.S. Open.
It will be Lowry’s first full PGA Tour event since the bitter disappointment of losing his Tour card after a pair of 69s to be cut from last August’s Wyndham Championship in North Carolina.
Lowry is no stranger to the Pebble Beach course where Hollywood tough-guy legend, Clint Eastwood has long been a member as the Offaly golfer has contested the event every year since 2015 and secured a best finish of T14th in 2017, when he was partnered by historic car collector, Gerry McManus and younger brother of J P McManus. Lowry was also paired with McManus a year ago and is expected to again team with him next fortnight.
However, Lowry’s invitation into the $7.6m (Euro 6.71m) event takes on extra special importance this year given Lowry lost his PGA Tour card at the end of last year and is currently without any Stateside status.
The $1.4m (Euro 1.23m) Pebble Beach first prize would hand Lowry a virtual three-year (all of 2018 and then exempt to the end of 2020) exemption and double what he earned to finish 138th on the 2018 PGA money list.
And Lowry has elected not to contest next week’s inaugural European Tour event in Saudi Arabia to better prepare himself for Pebble Beach and thus avoid a 13,000 klm journey.
Lowry, meantime, is within just four shots of the after two rounds of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic after posting six birdies, including a pair of ‘2’s’ along with an 18th hole birdie for a second day running, and a share of 14th place at eight-under par.
Visiting American and World No. 5 Bryson De Chambeau (66) and Aussie Lucas Herbert (63) share the lead at 12-under par and with former Dubai champs Ernie Els (65) and Spain’s Alvaro Quiros (64) one back.
Greystones Paul Dunne (70 & 75) found himself missing the cut for a second straight event.
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