Why Shane Lowry is looking forward to a second crack at Saudi International title

Shane Lowry looking forward to trying to win the 2020 Saudi International title on the European Tour
Shane Lowry would love to add a Saudi International title to his HSBC win in Abu Dhabi just over a year ago. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

OPEN Champion Shane Lowry is aiming to extend his strong record in the Middle East when he makes his debut as part of a strong field looking to claim this week’s Saudi International title.

The Irishman won the 2019 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and is a former runner up in the European Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

He began his 2020 calendar year by finishing runner-up in Hong Kong, in the rearranged Asian Tour event.

And – after missing the cut by one shot in Abu Dhabi – Lowry finished tied 11th in last week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Lowry believes Royal Greens Golf and Country Club is comparable to some of the other courses he has performance well at in the Middle East.

And the Claret Jug holder is looking forward to teeing it up for the first two rounds alongside World No.1 1 Brooks Koepka and former Masters Champion Sergio Garcia.

Both return to Saudi Arabia after playing in last year’s inaugural event, which attracted some criticism of players who took part in the event, over the Saudi’s human rights record.

The controversy came in the wake of the horrific killing of American-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Turkey, in October 2018.

The Saudi government is committed to a huge investment programme, including staging top international cultural and sporting events in a bid to boost tourism and develop a post-oil dependent economy.

But the leading players were all focused firmly on the golf and claiming that Saudi International title.

Lowry said: “It’s very much a Middle East-style golf course, and something that I like the look of it straightaway. It’s in great condition.

“Hopefully I can go out and play well, but I do really like the look of the golf course and it’s in perfect condition.

“I’ve done well in obviously Abu Dhabi, in the DP World and I  played okay in the Desert Classic the last couple of years.

“It’s the type of golf that I like. The wind picks up here in the afternoon, which would suit me a little bit, as well.

“It is a type of golf that I do enjoy playing. It’s perfect weather and perfect condition golf course.

“I got off to a great start in Hong Kong after a long break and didn’t know what to expect.

“Then came to Abu Dhabi, and I sort of had a mental error on the last hole and missed the cut out of nowhere.

Lowry got to practice with fellow Irishman Cormac Sharvin, who graduated via the European Challenge Tour, finishing 11th on the Road to Mallorca in 2019.

And Lowry admitted after his practice round that while a tad disappointed by his week in Dubai, he was still taking the positives from the week which saw a much tougher Emirates GC course awaiting the European Tour’s finest.

“Last week I finished 11th and probably would have liked to finish better,” he said.

“But any Sunday morning you’re sitting there eating your breakfast and feel like you have a chance to win the tournament is a good day.

“I feel like my form is okay, and I’m hoping to do all right this week and pick up a few more World Ranking points and Ryder Cup points.”

Defending champion Dustin Johnson is also in the field and he is grouped with Lee Westwood, winner of the 2020’s first Rolex Series event in Abu Dhabi, and another Middle East specialist, Sweden’s Henrik Stenson.

Johnson will be looing to add to his solitary US Open win in 2016 when it comes to the 2020 Majors.

“I’m feeling good. I’m really pleased with how I played last year,” said Johnson, “and I’m excited to be back in Saudi Arabia for this tournament.

“Any time you’ve won somewhere you’re looking at it, but every event that I go to – whether I’ve won there or not – I’m always trying to win it.

“It’s more like the process. Like I want to get myself in contention. I just want to give myself a chance to win on Sunday,” added Johnson, who will also be keen to close the gap on his buddy Brooks Koepka, who is being chased by Rory McIlroy for the World No. 1 accolade.

Dustin said: “I feel like if I can put myself in a position to have a chance to win going into the back nine on Sunday, then I’ve done what I wanted to do that week, and you know, just see what I can do those last nine holes.”

And a second Saudi International title can’t be ruled out for the bookies favourite.

Koepka to crack on after Dubai practice week

BROOKS Koepka, who returned after a three-month lay-off to allow his knee injury to heal in Abu Dhabi, will be looking to build on a fast start that faded in his European Tour return.

“The course has gotten a lot better than it was last year,” claimed Koepka who admits he still has some work to do if he is to be in with a shout of claiming his first Saudi International title come Sunday.

“Any time you can give a course an extra year to really develop, you’re going to see the progression of it,” said Florida-based Brooks.

“The greens are a lot faster. The rough’s a lot thicker. It’s settled in nicely.

“It looks incredible shape just as it was last year, just a little more settled in, which will be different.

“You never know what the scores could be. A few greens are a little firmer and faster, and if the wind gets up like it usually does in the afternoon, it might be a different story this year.

“You don’t know,” added Koepka, whose journey to the top of world golf began when he played for two seasons on the Challenge Tour – winning three times in 2013 after his debut win in 2012.

“Last week I practised all week. I had three months off, so there was no point in having a holiday or a vacation.

“It was more of a work thing. Just got the game ready. Felt good in Abu Dhabi. Felt good in Dubai. Feels good here.

“It’s just a matter of going out and executing. I played just fine, great shots in Abu Dhabi. Just didn’t score and that’s my own fault.

“Just coming here to try to figure it out and put some scores together, put some rounds together, and try to eliminate some mistakes.”

•For live scoring in the Saudi International click here.

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