Shane Lowry came in for a rake of criticism online after receiving one of Luke Donald's Ryder Cup captain's picks, but proved them wrong in sweet fashion with a T3 finish at last week's Irish Open.
Many, including English golfer Richard Bland, felt that Lowry's recent poor form, which included two missed cuts and a T51, should have been enough for Poland's Adrian Meronk to be selected ahead of him.
However, while Meronk did win the Italian Open this year on the same course that the Ryder Cup will be played on, his recent form has also been sketchy.
Given Lowry's previous Ryder Cup experience and his strong showings in this year's major championships, the extent of the flak has he has taken has been overboard; something that the Irishman also clearly believes, as he clapped back at the doubters during yesterday's press conference ahead of the BMW PGA Championship.
I know there was a little bit about that last week and me, and -- need to be careful here. Didn't sit very well with me to be honest. I feel like, yes, my results have not been amazing this year, but I feel if you purely go down to statistics and go down to the 12 best players in Europe, I've won of them. And I feel like I deserve my place on the team.
I didn't feel like I had to go out and prove anything to anyone last week. The Irish Open is important to me and a tournament I wanted to play well in. If I showed a few people up, so be it, but I wasn't trying to do that last week. I wasn't trying to finish third last week. I was trying to win last week. So last week was disappointing for me.
This week is the same. I'm trying to win the tournament here this week. I know I deserve to be on that team and I know I'll be good in Rome in a couple weeks, and I'm very excited for it.
Shane Lowry Claps Back At Criticism Following Ryder Cup Selection
24 September 2021; Shane Lowry, left, and Rory McIlroy of Team Europe during their Friday afternoon fourballs match against Tony Finau and Harris English of Team USA at the Ryder Cup 2021 Matches at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin, USA. Photo by Tom Russo/Sportsfile
READ HERE: Shane Lowry Cracks Up Fellow Irishmen With Classic Open One-Liner
"I think I'm a good player for a start," added Lowry.
"I think I'm not going to be afraid of anyone that comes to stand on first tee in two weeks' time. I think I'll be good for the rookies. I think I'll be good for team morale or in the team room. I think, you know, I'll be passionate. I'll show my emotions. I'll enjoy myself.
"You know, I told the lads yesterday, I think for me, the way I look at it is like, you know, we're all sitting around last night and I said, look, for me, the way I'm looking at this Ryder Cup is you never know when it's going to be your last so you want to make the most of it.
"That's kind of how I look at it. Going to give it everything I can when it comes to two weeks' time, and even like I said, preparing over the next sort of 2 1/2 weeks, is exciting."
SEE ALSO: Ex-Ireland Player Thinks Senior Job Might Be 'Step Backwards' For Lee Carsley
