SHANE LOWRY is one of many Ryder Cup players that will be looking to equal a PGA Tour record at the Open in Houston.
Every event on tour during the last five has been won by golfers outside the United States. This is one off the record set back in 2004 and equalled in 2008.
Other golfers like Hideki Matsuyama, Lucas Herbert and Viktor Hovland, Rory McIlroy and South Korea's Sungjae Im have all won recent honours. Ian Poulter, Lowry, Tyrrell Hatton, and Lee Westwood will all attempt to make it six wins in a row at Memorial Park. Other players include Seamus Power and 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett.
Shane Lowry gets applauded by his team mates during the press conference. 👏#TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/nelKi5QyzS
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 26, 2021
Carlos Ortiz, who is the defending champion and 49th in the world rankings misses out due to a shoulder problem.
Ortiz, made history last year as he became first Mexican to win on the PGA Tour for 42 years thanks to a closing 65 last year. It left him two shots ahead Dustin Johnson and Matsuyama
"Unfortunately, I’ve been battling a left shoulder injury since Japan (October’s ZOZO Championship) and, after meeting with my doctors this morning, it was recommended that I take the rest of the season off to recover," Ortiz said in a statement.
"This is incredibly disappointing to me as I was looking forward to defending my first PGA Tour title in Texas, my second home. I’m honoured to be a champion of this event and I look forward to returning next year."
Tony Finau, the World No 12 comes in as the top ranked player, with Brooks Koepka, the former No 1 and four time major winner looking to overturn patchy form following his missed cut in Mayakoba.
