Shane Lowry issues verdict on potential abuse from spectators at Ryder Cup: "That remains to be seen"

European Ryder Cup member Shane Lowry says he doesn't believe the American fans will 'turn on you that bad for one week'. 

Lowry was named as captain Luke Donald's first wildcard for this year's matches in New York. 

The news was not unexpected, given the former Open champion just missed out on automatic qualification to Rasmus Hojgaard. 

Lowry, Sepp Straka, Jon Rahm, Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland and Matthew Fitzpatrick completed Donald's dozen. 

The former World No.1 has also revealed his fifth and final vice-captain, warning Keegan Bradley's U.S. they are 'ready to go' for a contest he knows will be a completely 'different animal'. 

There has also been plenty of speculation as to what Europe's team can expect from the New Yorkers over 26-28 September. 

A volatile atmosphere is anticipated, with some predicting that many will overstep the mark.  

Xander Schauffele's father Stefan has already confirmed he is boycotting the Ryder Cup as a direct result of what Lowry endured during the matches at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin four years ago. 

Lowry made his debut for the blue and gold in 2021 after getting a captain's pick from Padraig Harrington ahead of Justin Rose.

He later said he didn't think the abuse was 'that bad' until he spoke to his wife Wendy. "They [his family] got dog's abuse going round," Lowry previously said. 

"It's not very nice for them to have to listen to it, but it's a small percentage of the crowd."

Lowry told reporters on Monday: "Whistling Straits was a bit different where there was no European fans at all. 

"There won't be as many European fans as Americans this time, but there will still be a few. I imagine the few that come will bring their support.

"There's been a lot of talk about what the crowds are going to be like and how bad they are going to be. 

"But, hmmm, I don't know, I think there's going to be a lot of European fans there. We play week-in, week-out in America. 

"We all live in America, or most of us do anyway, and we have all got a lot of fans in America. 

"I don't think they can turn on you that bad for one week, but that remains to be seen."

The aforementioned Rahm also acknowledged the crowd will play its part in four weeks' time. 

LIV Golf recruit Rahm said Donald has given the European squad 'all the tools' necesarry to deal with the adversity. 

Although Rahm stressed it's 'nearly impossible' to fully prepare. 

"So the most you can do is mentally try to get ready and prepare," Rahm said. 

"But like I said, since we're all a little different, he's given us different tools to try to understand how we need to react."

"I couldn't believe my ears"

Xander Schauffele's father Stefan was present at the Ryder Cup in Marco Simone. 

He told The Times of London earlier in the year he has absolutely no plans to attend the matches later this month. 

Stefan described the Ryder Cup as 'unwatchable' these days. "It's only going to get worse," he said. 

"I'm afraid of what’s going to happen in New York," he added. "I was there [at Whistling Straits] when they called Shane Lowry's wife a w---- in front of him. I couldn't believe my ears.

"Then I saw what happened in Rome. That was utterly disgusting claiming this money bull---- and Rory [McIlroy] behaved disgustingly in my opinion [when he confronted Patrick Cantlay’s caddie, Joe LaCava]. 

"It's only going to get worse. It's ruined my appetite for the Ryder Cup. It becomes unwatchable."

Stefan Schauffele was referring to McIlroy's heated confrontation with Tiger Woods' former bagman. 

McIlroy was infuriated with LaCava as he lingered for too long on the green after Cantlay holed a crucial putt. 

The reigning Masters champion accused LaCava of waving his team cap in his line of vision on the 18th green during the final fourballs match on day two at Marco Simone. 

The argument spilled over into the adjacent car park and McIlroy had to be bundled into a vehicle by Lowry as he tore into the U.S. team.

It was the angriest on a golf course McIlroy had ever been, he said. 

It's all water under the bridge now, of course.