Monday 22 August 2016 12:30, UK
Shane Lowry has admitted he probably needs to win this week’s Made In Denmark to give himself any chance of being handed a captain’s pick for Europe’s Ryder Cup side.
The Irishman had looked well-placed to challenge for an automatic qualification place after finishing runner-up at June's US Open, only to see his hopes fade with missed cuts in his next four starts.
Lowry needed to finish outright fourth or better at the Wyndham Championship to stay in the hunt for one of the nine qualification spot, but ended the week tied-42nd to see Andy Sullivan and Matt Fitzpatrick claim the final automatic spots.
This week is the final chance to impress captain Darren Clarke before he announces his three wildcard picks for Hazeltine on August 30, with the world No 35 believing he has work to do to have any chance of taking one of those places.
"I think I just need to go [to Denmark] and win to catch their eye at all," Lowry told Sky Sports. "Obviously the last six weeks haven't gone to plan since the US Open, but other than that my year has been okay.
"I've been playing well in the last couple of years, but just had a little bit of bad form at the wrong time.
"I feel like I can go and win next week, so that's what I'm going to try and do."
Former world No 1 Luke Donald is also looking to stake a late claim for a wildcard pick, after posting his second runner-up finish of the year at the Wyndham Championship.
Donald finished five strokes adrift of winner Si Woo Kim after carding a three-under 67 on Sunday and feels he still has a chance of being considered for a fifth Ryder Cup appearance.
"I'm sure he [Clarke] is looking," Donald told Sky Sports after his final round at Sedgefield Country Club. "I certainly would bring a lot of experience, having been on four winning teams.
"I think I have the best record in European history so I've got a lot of good things going for me, but I obviously need a very strong performance [at The Barclays] if not a win to have any chance."
Watch Darren Clarke announce his captain's picks live on August 30 from 12.30pm on Sky Sports News HQ
