Shane Lowry’s British Open victory earned him zero (!) Ryder Cup points

Shane Lowry cashed in on Sunday. With his Open Championship victory at Royal Portrush, the 32-year-old Irishman won nearly $2 million, grabbed a five-year PGA Tour exemption and can now play in The Open until he’s at least 60 (among other great exemptions).

But as for European Ryder Cup points for the 2020 event at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin? Nadda.

The qualification period for the European Tour Ryder Cup team doesn’t begin until the BMW PGA Championship on Sept. 19, and it ends at the same tournament in 2020. In contrast, the U.S. Ryder Cup team has a two-year qualification period.

“Obviously in the short-term I’m going to enjoy this, there’s no doubt about that, but in the long-term you obviously want to back up your success,” Lowry said. “My big goal still remains the same and that is to be on the plane going to Whistling Straits next year. That’s my plan for the next 12 months. Hopefully that involves a couple of wins along the way.”

Lowry has never played in a Ryder Cup, and although he didn’t receive any points at Portrush, his victory will still help his chances of making the team. Even if he doesn’t qualify, captain Padraig Harrington — who was among the first to congratulate Lowry on Sunday — has three captain’s picks. Lowry, who is friends with Harrington, a fellow Irishman, has made one strong impression already.

The 43rd Ryder Cup is at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan, Wis., on Sept. 25-27, 2020.

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