The European points race for 2020 Ryder Cup qualification begins at Wentworth this week, and Shane Lowry may press the reset button to contend.
Lowry has been enjoying his fantastic win at the Open Championship in July, and who can blame him?
Letting his fairy tale achievement sink in was the right thing to do after ten years on tour. Since then, the Offaly native finished tied 52nd at the Northern Trust and tied 48th at the BMW Championship on the US PGA Tour, quiet results after he lit up Portrush and melted Irish hearts.
This week, it's a new dawn, as the points clock starts ticking for the matches between Europe and the USA at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin. Padraig Harrington will be captain, but Lowry doesn't want to rely on a potential wildcard from his friend and fellow Gael.
Shane Lowry leads the 2019 Race to Dubai, but that's an irrelevancy as far as the Ryder Cup is concerned right now.
It's clear from hearing Lowry speak that he's desperate to be on the plane across the pond to be a part of a Ryder Cup squad. He has yet to earn a place on a European team.
What better way would there be to signal intent and get on that path by winning the European Tour's signature event, the BMW Championship?
The reason I like Lowry this week is that he holds exceptional course form at the par 72.
In nine starts he has finished in the Top 20 on six occasions and in the Top 10 four times, including a second place result in 2014.
There may be rust, and it's a quality field including Rory McIlroy, defending champion Francesco Molinari, Jon Rahm and Patrick Reed, but I am a firm believer in horses for courses and with no pressure on his shoulders, Lowry can make his presence felt as an each way selection at 30/1.
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