Lowry swaps daddy duties for the Race to Dubai

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 headed the money list after his victory in Abu Dhabi in January and moved back out in front after claiming his maiden major title 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 the lucrative Rolex Series event and is also scheduled the 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 said. “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 anyofitbecauseijustdidn’t have time the rest of the week. My wife Wendy was away so I was on daddy daycare for a week, I was 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.

“It’s very exciting that I’m there and I’m looking forward to the challenge of trying to win the Race to Dubai.

“I want to keep trying to pick up some Ryder Cup points and keep challenging myself every day to shoot the best scores I can, keep playing my golf, keep doing what I’ve been doing all year and win the Race to Dubai.

“That would kind of top off what has already been an incredible year.”

Francesco Molinari won the Race to Dubai last year afteralsowinningtheopen and Lowry will partner the Italian Ryder Cup star and England’s Matt Wallace in the opening two rounds.