Many regard the upstart LIV Golf enterprise as a bete noire that could tarnish and undermine the sport's rich tradition, but Shane Lowry believes the world's best players will remain loyal to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
Lowry, who won the Irish Open in Baltray in 2009 as an amateur, lines up in this year's edition of the tournament at Mount Juliet on Thursday.
Across the Atlantic, the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic and the LIV Golf Invitational Portland are also set to take place, with the Offaly man unequivocal in where the most talented golfers will and won't be found.
"We still have the best players in the world playing the PGA Tour and the European Tour," Lowry told RTÉ Sport.
"I've no doubt about that. If you look at the world rankings and you look at the fields, and who is playing on those tours week in, week out, I think you can see where the best golfers are.
"I'm confident that's where they're going to be playing over the next number of years and I'm delighted to be part of it."
Shane Lowry spoke to RTÉ Sport's Dave Kelly ahead of the first round of the Irish Open and revealed that it's the one tournament than he never wants to miss. #RTESport pic.twitter.com/8iCRQPe8eN
— RTEgolf (@RTEgolf) June 29, 2022
The 35-year-old also welcomed Tuesday's news of a new 13-year operational joint-venture partnership between the two established tours, which will see prize funds bolstered in a bid to stave off the threat of a rival tour backed by the government of Saudi Arabia via its Public Investment Fund. The sovereign wealth fund currently holds assets believed to be in excess of $600bn.
"I think it's great," Lowry said. "Obviously, there's been a lot of uncertainty in golf over the last number of months.
"The fact that the two biggest tours in the world have come together now to create something like that is great.
"It's great for the DP World Tour members in particular. They have guaranteed prize funds for the next number of years. They can plan their seasons. The announcement only came yesterday and there will be more to come with it. As a member of both tours, it's great for golf."
Lowry finished in a share of third at the Masters in April, and boasts two other top-10 finishes this season, but a home win this weekend is a major target.
"I've been really solid and really consistent," he added. "I've enjoyed my year so far.
"I'm missing one thing, I'm missing a win. I'd love nothing more for that to happen this week in Kilkenny."
Watch the Horizon Irish Open live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player on Thursday and Friday from 1pm-6pm. Day 3 and 4 coverage on Saturday and Sunday from 1.10pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
