Shane Lowry says wife took abuse at last Ryder Cup in US - but he has a plan this year

Shane Lowry is aiming to use heat from loud US fans to “help you as opposed to let it hinder you” as he bids to help Europe hang on to the Ryder Cup in New York.

In the aftermath of a record 19-9 hammering for the Europeans at Whistling Straits four years ago, the Clara man spoke about the abuse his wife Wendy and other wives and partners of players on Padraig Harrington’s team had been on the end of from home supporters.

Even thicker skins will now be needed for everyone who is part of ‘Team Europe’ in this week’s 45th edition at Bethpage State Park, which sits 40 miles to the east of Manhattan.

For the first time, crowd monitors will be utilised in a bid to ensure that raucous New York sports fans don’t cross the line in terms of behaviour.

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"Yeah, look, that was my first Ryder Cup experience, and obviously my first away one, kind of unexpected going over there,” said Lowry of the events at Whistling Straits, where very few European fans were in attendance due to Covid travel restrictions.

“But, when you're ready for something, it's never as bad. The New York fans have been great this week so far. Obviously it's practice days and it's a little bit more lighthearted. It is what it is. I played an away Ryder Cup and a home Ryder Cup, and I'm pretty sure Rome wasn't much fun for the Americans, either.

“You know, I think you have to be yourself, do your own thing, try and use it as best you can. You know, allow it to help you as opposed to let it hinder you. I think we are all ready for it and we are all mentally prepared for it. We'll see.”

The European fans made themselves heard at Wednesday’s Opening Ceremony, where home captain Keegan Bradley dropped a clanger by mentioning Justin Rose instead of Justin Leonard as he recalled his love for the Ryder Cup having been spawned as a 13-year-old at Brookline in 1999.

“Yeah, I thought they were pretty good at the Opening Ceremony, to be honest,” observed Lowry. “They were pretty loud. I was pretty happy with that. They are good fun. There are some great songs.

“There's a lot of Irish people and there's a lot of European people that live in and around New York, and I'm pretty sure there's going to be quite a few Europeans here this week, which hopefully they can be as loud as they can.

“Hopefully we can give them something to cheer about. That's the thing. If we play good golf, the American crowd will be quiet; the European crowd will be loud. So it's up to us to do that.”

The 38-year-old is facing the Americans for a third match running, having tasted defeat on his debut in Wisconsin but then enjoying a win in Rome two years ago.

“I'm looking forward to it,” he said with a smile in a pre-event press conference on a wet Thursday morning. “This is what I practice for. This is what I live for. I've wanted this since we finished on the 18th green in Rome.

“This has been one of my goals is to be sitting here and my other goal is to be sitting here Sunday evening with the team with the trophy. And, as soon as we finish here Sunday evening, I'll be thinking about Adare Manor (venue for the 2027 encounter).”

Pictures by Sportsfile