Lowry gets back in swing after ‘daddy daycare’

Open champion Shane Lowry has switched his focus from parental responsibilities to trying to reclaim top spot in the Race to Dubai at the Italian Open.

Lowry first headed the money list after his victory in Abu Dhabi in January and moved back out in front after claiming his maiden major title in brilliant fashion at Royal Portrush in July.

Jon Rahm’s second win of the season in the Mutuactivos Open de Espana on Sunday took him above Lowry in the standings, but the Ryder Cup star will not play again on the European Tour until the season-ending event in Dubai.

In contrast, Lowry is part of a strong field at Olgiata Golf Club in Rome for this week’s lucrative Rolex Series event and is also scheduled to play the WGC-HSBC Champions in China and either the Turkish Airlines Open or Nedbank Golf Challenge before Dubai.

“It’s probably going to come down to the last couple of events,” Lowry told a pre-tournament press conference. “I’m just going to keep doing what I’ve been doing all year.

“Do I keep an eye on it? I actually watched a little bit of the golf on Sunday but, before that, I didn’t watch any of it because I just didn’t have time the rest of the week.

“My wife Wendy was away so I was on daddy daycare for a week, looking after Iris.

“I had a couple of things on late in the week that I had to do and did a little bit of practice but didn’t get that much done.

“I’m out here this week now and, thankfully, I played on Tuesday and I felt OK.

“Hopefully I can get out there this week and shoot some good scores and give myself a chance at the weekend.