Shane Lowry missed the FedExCup Playoffs last season, not because he played poorly, but because he wasn't playing well enough on the PGA Tour.
The Irishman played in just 18 tournaments and missed the cut just three times, but finished 78th in the FedEx Cup standings and missed out on the postseason by eight spots.
He started the season last week at American Express but missed the cut and will look to change that approach in 2024. That means he took home zero money and zero FedEx Cup points.
“[Over] The last few years I started the season in Europe,” Lowry explained.
“Of course, I decided to come this year.” [to San Diego]hang out on the West Coast a little and give it a try. [earn] It's an early season this year, so we were able to earn some much-needed FedExCup points. ”
The PGA Tour has returned to a calendar-based schedule for the first time since 2013. The season began the first full week of January at the Sentry in Kapalua. Atlanta's Labor Day weekend ends today with the Tour Championship being held at the revitalized East Lake Golf Club.
Unfortunately, Lowry, who made his PGA Tour season debut in mid-February last year, shot a 6-under 66 on the North Course at Torrey Pines on Wednesday. He bounced back after a tough start to the 2024 campaign.
“I was just outside having fun,” Lowry said.
“I hit a few sloppy bogeys, but after that I felt like I played some nice golf down the stretch, hit some nice shots and made the putts I needed. ”
The 2019 Champion Golfer of the Year started the day with a birdie, but then lost several shots in his first nine.
Lowry, who started from the back, turned just short of par and shot a 1-under 35 on the inside ninth. But then he bogeyed the first hole and suddenly found himself back at the starting point.
“I just went crazy,” Lowry said of the opening 10-hole stretch.
What was lost was quickly rediscovered.
The 36-year-old from County Offaly has birdied six of his final eight matches to move up the leaderboard and join the ranks at Torrey Pines.
He is currently two strokes behind Taipei's Kevin Yu, who opened the Farmers Insurance Open with an 8-under 64 with no birdies.
However, after a slow start, Lowry calmed down and settled into his favorite course.
“I love the West Coast of America. I love coming here and playing. This has always been one of my favorite places,” Lowry said.
He should be happy knowing that a good round on Thursday will earn him valuable FedEx Cup points. And with a shorter schedule than in past years, those points are even more valuable.
Hopefully, Lowry's change in approach will earn him a playoff spot and the influx of money that comes with it.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through.Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.
