Ryder Cup stars Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry are poised to take advantage of a lesser-known rule ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship next month. The Middle Eastern event is typically only open to the top 70 players on the DP World Tour after the Korea Championship concludes next week.
Despite Fleetwood ranking 94th and Lowry 155th, largely due to their participation in the PGA Tour this season, a loophole could grant them entry into the Abu Dhabi tournament. The DP World Tour rule book includes a clause that allows Team Europe members to have their own exemption category for both the Abu Dhabi event and the DP World Tour Championship.
Ludvig Aberg and Sepp Straka, who currently rank 72nd and 147th respectively, are the other two Team Europe members outside the top 70 at this point. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick, Rasmus Hojgaard, Justin Rose, Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland are all within the cut-off point.
Fleetwood, a seven-time European Tour winner, has amassed 531.47 race to Dubai points this season, while Irishman Lowry trails with just 231.70. That’s despite both having participated in only 15 tournaments combined.
With Fleetwood and Lowry both exempt from qualifying through the top 70, they could be set to boost their bank balance with a substantial prize pool on offer at the Abu Dhabi tournament in three weeks. Although the final prize money is yet to be confirmed, it’s likely to be at least £1million, meaning Fleetwood and Lowry stand to gain even if they finish outside the top 70, as they will have the right to compete for the winner’s prize.
Last year, a whopping £6,766,380 was up for grabs throughout the prize share, with a cool £1,150,284 going to the eventual champion Paul Waring. Meanwhile, the runner-up pocketed £744,301, with third place taking home £426,281.
“It just means so much to so many other things that come with that win,” an emotional Waring confessed after securing the biggest payday of his career thus far in 2024. “That said, early in the week, to actually keep control of myself in the way that I did today, I’m really proud of myself, and [my caddie] Alex (Evans) was absolutely amazing… My playing partner was amazing, Shane was great as was Niklas (Norgaard). I’m a bit taken aback right now.”
As some players from Team Europe – who finish outside the top 70 in the DP World Tour rankings – will be included, it won’t affect those already in the top 70 and 50, meaning field sizes will expand where necessary.
Fleetwood and Lowry both shone as Team Europe held onto the Ryder Cup in the United States last month. Luke Donald’s squad triumphed 15-13 in a thrilling weekend at Bethpage Black.