Lowry and McDowell among big names to commit to Saudi International

Shane Lowry, right, hits his tee shot as Graeme McDowell looks on from the ninth tee during the practice round at the 2020 U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club (West Course) in Mamaroneck, N.Y. on Monday, Sept. 14, 2020. (USGA/Robert Beck)

Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell could face potential fines or suspensions from the PGA Tour and DP World Tour if they are not granted releases and follow through on their commitment to teeing it up in Saudi International next year.

The Irish pair were amongst the 25 big names to commit yesterday to the $5m Saudi-backed Asian Tour event at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club from February 3-6, but both need releases from the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour to tee it up in an event that clashes with the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in the US and the Ras al Khaimah Championship presented by Phoenix Capital in the DP World Tour.

The Saudi International was a European Tour-sanctioned event for three years from 2019. But that is no longer the case following Saudi efforts to create a rival tour.

The DP World Tour, which is now in a strategic alliance with the PGA Tour, sees the Saudi-backed Asian Tour as a major rival and appears reluctant to grant players conflicting-event releases.

The DP World Tour said yesterday it had “no comment” on a potential clash with players, leaving Lowry, who has signed a multi-year agreement to play in the Saudi International, in the dark.

The Offaly man has no interest in any breakaway tours and remains committed to Europe and the US. But by committing to the Saudi International, conflict looks certain should both the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour refuse to grant releases.

It’s the same for a host of big names, including Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson and European Ryder Cup players Lowry, Paul Casey, Tommy Fleetwood, Sergio Garcia, Tyrrell Hatton, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood.

McDowell and Henrik Stenson, who were Ryder Cup vice-captains in Wisconsin, have also committed to the Jeddah event, and it remains to be seen how that affects their chances of being awarded the 2023 Ryder Cup captaincy in Rome.

Westwood (48) was considered the favourite until he ruled himself out to concentrate on playing, resulting in little clarity on who will succeed Pádraig Harrington with 2018 captain Thomas Bjorn now emerging as a potential contender.

Meanwhile, Norway’s Suzann Pettersen will succeed Catriona Matthew as Solheim Cup captain and lead the quest for a hat-trick of European wins at Finca Cortesin in Spain in 2023.