Shane Lowry eyes late Ryder push

Shane Lowry is targeting victory in this week’s Wyndham Championship in a bid to make a push for a place at the Ryder Cup.

The Irishman currently sits 14th in the European Points List and 16th in the World Points List so has work to do if he is to qualify for his maiden appearance in the biennial event, which takes place at Hazeltine between September 30 and October 2.

Lowry’s form has been inconsistent since winning the WGC-Bridgestone last August and he now has just this week’s tournament and next week’s Made in Denmark to book his spot on Darren Clarke’s team.

The Wyndham is the last regular season event on the PGA Tour calendar and provides potentially vital points for those hoping to move up the rankings.

The 29-year-old admits time is against him if he wants to make the Ryder Cup team but says he is ready to give himself every chance possible over the next fortnight.

Lowry wrote in the Irish Times: “The reason I’m here in North Carolina is to try and make a late play to make Europe’s Ryder Cup team.

“I know exactly where I stand in the qualifying tables – 14th in one, 16th in the other – and the reality is that I probably need a win this week or in Denmark next week if I’m to have any chance of making it to Hazeltine.

To do that, I need to improve my results. “The way I see it is that I have to give myself every chance of making the team. If I didn’t go to play in Denmark, I’d be thinking, ‘what if?’ and I don’t want that.”

The Irishman is 81.00 to win in North Carolina, with America’s Patrick Reed leading the betting at 15.00.