Shane Lowry opens up on "pretty miserable" PGA Tour experience

Shane Lowry says the year he spent on the PGA Tour's players advisory council was "pretty miserable". 

The 16-man council, elected by the players, advises and consults with the PGA Tour's policy board on issues affecting the circuit. 

Lowry was elected in 2023 - a particularly tense time in the sport after the inauguration of LIV Golf. 

The former Open champion, 38, gave a brutal assessment of his experience ahead of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. 

"They asked me to go on it a few years ago," Lowry said.  

"And you spend a year in everyone's business, worrying about what's going on, who is going where.

"Like things like finding out players are going to LIV, and having a little conversation with them about, like, why are you going or why wouldn't you stay or something like that.

"I feel like it kind of was a bit – it was a bit of a miserable year to be honest, where, you know, you stopped worrying about yourself."

Lowry said he made a conscious decision to step away as he was "not getting on his career". 

"I hopefully have a few years at the top level left but I really need to worry about myself and worry about what I'm doing," he added. 

Lowry's frustrations echo those of his good friend Rory McIlroy. 

McIlroy was once the PGA Tour's de-facto spokesperson and led the charge against LIV Golf. 

He resigned from the policy board in November 2023, citing "personal and professional commitments". 

McIlroy later told of how he felt like he was banging his head against a brick wall as he attempted to influence key decisions. 

There was talk McIlroy would go back on the board and replace Webb Simpson. 

Telegraph Sport reported in May 2024 that other player directors voted 3-2 against McIlroy's return. 

Tiger Woods, Patrick Cantlay and Jordan Spieth reportedly voted against McIlroy. 

"Last week did hurt"

Lowry arrives at Emirates Golf Club still feeling upset with himself that he didn't convert a golden opportunity to end his winless drought. 

The 2019 Open champion has not won a professional golf event since winning the 2023 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. 

Last Sunday, Lowry held a one-shot lead on the 72nd hole of the Dubai Invitational but closed with a brutal double-bogey after finding the water from a greenside bunker. 

Lowry described the shot as "not good enough". 

He told reporters he wanted to sulk on Sunday evening, but persuaded himself to go our for dinner with friends. 

"It's clear that it's been a while since I've won a tournament," he said. 

"So to get a win at any tournament on either of the tours I play would be really nice.

"Like last week hurt. Did it hurt as much as like a really big event, a major or something? No, absolutely not. I still want to win. 

"I still tee it up every week wanting to win. And that's what's hard about this game, isn't it. 

"There's plenty of players that played last week that are over on the range now trying to find their game, but they didn't feel as bad as I did leaving Dubai Creek Sunday evening.

"So that's the funny thing about golf. I've probably played close to 400 tournaments in my career, and I've only won seven. 

"You lose a lot more than you win. So you get used to losing as a professional golfer."

Next Ryder Cup captain

Last September, Lowry holed a crucial putt on the 18th hole of his Sunday singles contest against American Russell Henley to ensure Europe retained the Ryder Cup. 

Moments later, Tyrrell Hatton put the cherry on the cake for Team Europe. 

The victory meant Luke Donald became only the second man to lead Europe to home and away victories after Tony Jacklin in 1985 and 1987. 

Donald has not made up his mind yet over whether he wants to lead Europe in two years' time at Adare Manor in Ireland. 

Lowry said he isn't sure if Donald wants to continue. 

It is widely expected that Francesco Molinari will be named the skipper should the former world number one reject a third stint. 

"It's a big undertaking for him, and he's obviously been very successful," said Lowry. 

"But you know, obviously there's a huge carrot dangling there to go three in a row and be the only person to do that, or he will be the only person ever to do that, yeah.

"I think, yeah, but that's up to him. He's here this week. I'm sure he'll have conversations about it this week. 

"Like is there a template there? Probably yes. But I think the last two Ryder Cups and the continuity of it all was amazing, and it obviously will be good to have that for Adare Manor.

"But it is his decision. It is a big undertaking for him, and it's also a big undertaking for his family because he will be travelling a lot more. 

"He'll be in Ireland a lot obviously getting ready for it. 

"When you're doing a home Ryder Cup, there's a lot more planning with you and your wife and stuff. Yeah, I'd certainly love to see him as a captain."