Shane Lowry confident 'Rahmbo' will feature at Bethpage

Shane Lowry expressed confidence that Jon Rahm would be part of Europe's Ryder Cup team when they seek to retain the trophy at Bethpage Black in 2025, despite the Spaniard's recent defection to the LIV Tour.

Rahm's departure for the Saudi funded tour has caused convulsions within the sport, with a bullish Greg Norman, LIV's commissioner, promising that "more apples would fall from the tree" in the months ahead.

It represented an about-turn for the reigning Masters champion, who signalled his loyalty to the PGA Tour ahead of the 2022 US Open, saying he was primarily interested in "history and legacy" and that a major financial offer from LIV would not change his life.

On 7 December, his deal with LIV was confirmed, reported to be worth in excess of €500 million.

Explaining the move, Rahm said he made the decision based on what was best for him and his family, as well as trotting out the familiar lines about "growing the game."

These comments were greeted with weary eye-rolls by LIV's multitutde of critics, while Rory McIlroy said the sport was in danger of "cannibalising" itself, citing the example of boxing.

Lowry, speaking at the launch of Amgen's sponsorship of the Irish Open in Dun Laoghaire, admitted the game was in a strange place.

"I think with Jon, the growing the game stuff and that, that's obviously what they have to say," the 2019 Open Champion told RTÉ Sport.

"They have signed on the dotted line. They have been told by the communications team 'this is what you say when you’re asked.'

"You have no other choice really because they own you now.

"I think that’s where that comes from. It is in a funny place isn’t it? But I do think it will come together soon. I don’t know when.

"I don’t know if it has been damaging but, yes,