Lowry ‘back to himself’ after strong Bellerive showing

SHANE LOWRY believes he is back to where he feels he should be’ after his highest finish in a major since the 2016 US Open. Lowry’s 12th place in the USPGA Championship behind Brooks Koepka in Bellerive on Sunday was worth $187,000 and has given the 31-year-old renewed belief he can nail down his playing rights on the PGA Tour for the 2018-19 season. With one event to go, this week’s $6m Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina, he lies 139th in the Fed ExCup standings — the top 125 keep their card and qualify for the play-offs. In three events since his brother Alan replaced Dermot Byrne as bagman, Lowry has finished 12th (Canadian Open), 15th (Barracuda Championship) and 12th (US PGA). Those results are responsible for his rise from 92nd to 81st in the world rankings for a player who ‘feels like I’m back to myself now’. Lowry was seventh last year in the Wyndham Championship and should he play well enough this week to reach the play-offs, he’ll be looking for a new caddie as brother Alan heading home to Ireland. ‘Alan will be on the bag next week. If I make the FedEx Cup I will have to get someone for that. If I don’t, I’ll have five or six weeks off and I’ll weigh up my options.’ Also entering the last chance saloon this week is Seamus Power, who is 123rd in the FedEx Cup standings. Graeme McDowell is 143rd while Pádraig Harrington, a lowly 220th in the standings, has to win to retain his playing rights. However, the three-time major winner can fall back on a once-off PGA Tour money-winning exemption to keep his card for next season.