Shane Lowry calls on young guns to help McIlroy and Rahm amid LIV uncertainty
Shane Lowry claims Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy are the two best players in the world ahead of the Hero Cup on the DP World Tour.
Shane Lowry says Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy are currently the best players in the world as he called on Europe's young guns to "step up" when it's go-time at the Ryder Cup.
Lowry was selected to be part of the Great Britain and Ireland side led by Tommy Fleetwood in this week's Hero Cup.
It will be seen as a good chance for European players to bond ahead of the Ryder Cup in September.
Related: Zach Johnson isn't ruling out Tiger for Ryder Cup place
Lowry was part of Padraig Harrington's side that was humbled 19-9 by the trail-blazing U.S side at Whistling Straits.
The former champion golfer of the year wants a chance to put that right.
He previously revealed that his wife Wendy was on the receiving end of "dog's abuse" during his Sunday Singles match against Patrick Cantlay.
Spain's Rahm - who recently claimed his eighth PGA Tour victory - will lead the charge for Luke Donald's men alongside 33-year-old McIlroy.
Lowry, 35, told the media in Abu Dhabi:
It remains to be seen what involvement LIV Golf players will have at the Ryder Cup.
Regardless of a court ruling next month which will determine whether the DP World Tour has the legal power to ban players, it appears as though they will in all likelihood be overlooked.
Ominously, three Spanish LIV pros weren't selected for the Hero Cup despite some ranking higher than those chosen.
This was highlighted by DP World Tour pro Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, who questioned the exclusion of Adrian Otaegui, Adri Arnaus and Pablo Larrazabal.
This week one Ryder Cup Europe icon - Ian Poulter - lashed out at the DP World Tour for forgetting his and Sergio Garcia's birthday.
Lowry described Europe as currently undergoing a "transitional period", adding:
Lowry continued:
The 47th Ryder Cup will take place at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, Italy over 29 September - 1 October.
Next page: Former European Ryder Cup captain slams "archaic" dress codes