Wildcard Shane Lowry named in Luke Donald's European Ryder Cup team

Shane Lowry will contest his second Ryder Cup in Rome later this month after being named as one of six wildcards by the European captain Luke Donald.

Missing the cut at the Czech Masters last week meant he could not qualify automatically, but he was still widely expected to be selected by Donald to tee it up in the Italian capital.

Despite an underwhelming 2023, which saw him drop 17 places in the world rankings, Donald has recently praised his enthusiasm for the competition and his energy around the team room.

Lowry won one point from three matches in his Ryder Cup bow in 2021 as the United States prevailed 19-9 at Whistling Straits against a Padraig Harrington-captained Europe.

Tommy Fleetwood, Sepp Straka, Justin Rose, Nicolai Højgaard and Ludvig Aberg were the other picks.

Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, Robert MacIntyre, Tyrrell Hatton, Viktor Hovland, and Jon Rahm claimed the automatic slots.

"I'm incredibly proud and grateful, and very excited for Rome," Lowry said after the announcement was made.

"The last one hurt a little bit, and I’m excited for a home Ryder Cup. I’m very grateful that Luke has given me the opportunity to go there and show what I can do again."

Donald admitted that Lowry’s performance in a losing team last time out played a part in getting the nod.

"We saw in Whistling Straits the passion, the videos of the fist pumping the putts," he said.

"We know he’s a big-time player. He’s won an Open Championship, he’s won at Wentworth.

"On those big occasions against the best players, he turns up in those moments.

"We saw his passion two years ago and we’re super excited to have him as part of the team because he is great in a team as well."

Padraig Harrington missed out on a place despite his good year, as did