After we witnessed another end of the DP World Tour season, a well-known name in the golf scene, Shane Lowry commented on the golfers who secured the PGA Tour card. At the end of the season, the top 10 players on the European Tour automatically secure a PGA Tour card. The Irishman had the same experience 10 years ago when he managed to secure a place on the PGA Tour as one of the best at DP World. Lowry remembers such moments with nostalgia, especially the adrenaline. Shane has emphasized several times so far that it's an incredible feeling, which can't be forgotten.
In an interview with Golf Digest, he stressed that coming to the PGA means you're one of the best. The 37-year-old believes that the 10 best golfers from the European Tour deserve such a chance.
"The PGA Tour is the Premier League of golf," Lowry said, as quoted by Golf Digest.
"So you can't go there and be half-hearted. You have to give it everything you have.
All 10 have had great seasons here though. So they are good enough to go out there and compete."
Playing on the PGA is challenging. You're surrounded by the best of this sport, and there is fierce competition ahead of you. Young golfers are aware of this, but still, it's very difficult to get used to the PGA, playing in a completely new environment. The Irishman warned the European players about the fierce competition.
"The fields are deep over there but there is no need to change anything."- he continued.
Explaining what the PGA entails, the 37-year-old pointed out that it is particularly difficult to get used to new courses. Players on the DP World know the courses and the challenges they bring. In addition, they're not forced to play a trial round, given they know the courses. However, the Irishman points out that playing on the PGA Tour, individuals must travel every day and play rounds to familiarize themselves with the course. Getting used to such a thing isn't easy, and it implies that you invest effort and time. The greatest of this sport had similar problems.
The experienced golfer, gaining experience on the Tour, realized that today's golf isn't only about consistency, but more about hitting big. Judging by his comments, consistency no longer brings results like it used to.
Playing on the PGA and the DP World at the same time isn't easy, especially when you're a rookie on the PGA. However, if you want to be part of the greatest Tours, you have to adapt to the conditions.
Lowry admits that it's very difficult to label yourself as successful on the PGA Tour unless you actually achieve some of the success at the Majors.
Being a PGA Tour rookie has proven to be difficult for many golfers, and fans are well-known as an example of Robert MacIntyre, who, coming to the PGA Tour, stressed how difficult it's to get used to such an environment, which is quite different from what he's used to.
The popular MacIntyre, on the other hand, managed to understand how things work week after week and raise the level of the game. It's hard to expect all 10 golfers to do amazing things, but it's clear that there is a lot of talent on European soil that can really dominate the PGA.
For such a thing, the advice of more experienced and older European colleagues could be crucial, but of course, without their effort, work, and desire, it's difficult to expect anything. Lowry can be a good mentor for some of them. It'll be interesting to see if the 37-year-old will be open to helping some of them.
Players who have secured a card
The players who earned the PGA card are Rasmus Hojgaard, who will join his brother Nicolai on the PGA Tour. He showed his capabilities playing against Rory McIlroy in Dubai. Although he failed to achieve a victory, Hojgaard showed that he'll present a danger to players on the PGA Tour.
Another golfer who will be part of the PGA is Thriston Lawrence, a golfer who caused fear in McIlroy, considering that he was the only one who could win the Race to Dubai. There is also Paul Waring, Jesper Svensson, Nicklas Norgaard, and Matteo Manssero, a great Italian who has the potential to do a lot. There's also Thorbjorn Olesen, as well as Antoine Rozner, Rikuya Hoshino, and finally Tom McKibbin.
They'll have a difficult task next year, but looking at their performances in Europe, it's clear that each of them has the potential to achieve a positive result. Some will need more and some less time. In any case, we can expect exciting moments and great performances.
Next season could be fantastic for golf fans, especially those from Europe.
