“They don’t deserve to be here.” – Lowry can’t stand some LIV golfers making it to Wentworth

Niall McIntyre

A total of 17 LIV golfers will tee it up at the BMW Championship this week, at the European tour’s flag-ship event in Wentworth.

And for Shane Lowry, there’s no point in saying otherwise, that’s 17 LIV golfers too many.

Patrick Reed, Sergio Garcia and Graeme McDowell are among the PGA tour defectors who will compete at the Surrey venue, with fellow LIV men Ian Poulter, Justin Harding and Adrian Otaegui having spearheaded a legal challenge on their behalf.

Effectively, that legal challenge has frozen their World Tour suspension, which allows them to play no questions asked. Some of them, like Martin Kaymer, for example, still had doubts though and that’s why he’s decided to opt out.

“I don’t need to go to a place where, feel-wise,” said the German, “you’re not that welcome.” America’s Jason Kokrak also with-drew.

In the mean-time, Rory McIlroy says it’s going to be ‘hard to stomach’ their presence this weekend while Matt Fitzpatrick says it’s ‘a little bit disappointing.’

And in an uncharacteristically fiery interview on Sky Sports, Shane Lowry echoed those sentiments.

“Personally, I can’t say I’m 100% okay with everyone being here. There are some of the guys that I kind of don’t mind them being here given what they’ve done for the tour over the years.

“But there are certain guys that I just can’t stand them being here to be honest and I don’t like it that they’re here.”

“To be honest the one thing that has really annoyed me over the last few months is how disruptive they’re all trying to be and I get they’re here to get world ranking points and do that.

“But I think in a way they’re here to do that and be disruptive. I don’t think they’re here for anything else. Obviously they’re here for world ranking points somewhat but a little bit is to be disruptive as well and I just don’t like it.”

Shane Lowry has gone ☢️ @LowryTracker pic.twitter.com/rsOYRyc48z

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) September 7, 2022

“I feel we should be standing here talking about how great Wentworth is and how big the tournament is, not talking about these guys who shouldn’t be here and don’t deserve to be here.”

“Anyone who knows me knows I don’t like confrontation so I’ll say hello and do my thing. That’s the way I’ll be.

“I won’t be going for dinner but that’s just because we haven’t seen each other. But there are certain lads I would shake hands with and there are certain lads I wouldn’t.”

On a completely un-related point, it’s worth noting that the likes of Talor Gooch and Abraham Ancer have never played this tournament before.

English man Billy Horschel has been another vocal critic of the LIV movement, and he was seen ‘chatting’ with Ian Poulter on the practice putting green yesterday.

🚨#NEW: Tensions rise at Wentworth as Billy Horschel & Ian Poulter get into it on the putting green pic.twitter.com/LO6yPOy6dR

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) September 7, 2022