It’s been over a year since the 2023 Ryder Cup, but more details keep pouring in. You know the behind-the-scenes stories, unseen footage. This time thanks to the documentary ‘Una Famiglia’ (A Family) that charts the journey of the European Cup team. Turns out one person anticipated some fiery moments way before anyone else did.

That person, European Captain, Luke Donald did caution, Shane Lowry, to stay ‘laid back’, and not to get too ‘fired up’. Lowry, of course, threw caution to the wind when he was on the greens. 

Now, the former Open champion is a passionate man. And he has had his fair share of controversy because of that. So, Donald’s advice was reasonable. But you know, it’s the Ryder Cup. And Lowry couldn’t hold himself back. 

In the recently released documentary, the Offaly man recounted one specific moment from Marco Simone. Emotions got the better of him when Europe started surging forward early in the day. If you remember Viktor Hovland’s chip (of course, you do) that put Europe 1-up, Lowry was fist-pumping and goading the crowd to be louder. 

The one-time major winner jokes in the interview that Luke Donald did say, “[I]t’s important that I don’t get fired up. Viktor chips in and I’m just jumping around the first tee like an absolute idiot.” Now, the Ryder Cup is always a heated affair. And last year, Marco Simone witnessed more than one controversial moment. Of course, it was besotted by the LIV Golf saga from the start, but Lowry had more than one reason to be emotional. 

Shane Lowry was fired up to answer the American critics

A year later, the most enduring image of Lowry from last year might be the one where he held off Rory McIlroy in the parking lot. The Ulsterman was furious, and Lowry pulled him aside to his car. But moments before that, the 37-year-old was no less amped up, getting engaged in a heated exchange with Joe LaCava.

Moreover – this one might have slipped under your radar – Luke Donald gifted his players with a good luck message from everyone’s family. Lowry’s one came from his parents which brought tears to his eyes. But apparently, when he revealed that to an American journalist, he laughed. The Offaly resident said, “I actually remember getting laughed at by a US journalist because I told him that I cried. That definitely adds fuel to the fire.”

So, Shane Lowry was fired up before the first tee. That spilled over on the greens. Expect some fireworks from the Offaly man at Bethpage Black as well. He already started the banter battle with a sweet little jab at his American counterpart.