European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald cited Shane Lowry's credentials in big tournaments as a key factor behind his selection and admitted that Padraig Harrington's form earlier in 2023 had briefly put him in the frame to be the oldest player in the history of the event.
Former world number 1 Donald named his six wildcard picks on 4 September, with Lowry and Denmark's Nicolai Hojgaard getting the nod, and current Italian Open champion Adrian Meronk the most contentious omission.
Lowry's selection had generated hostility in some quarters, with ex-British Masters Champion Richard Bland especially critical, arguing that Meronk deserved the nod ahead of the "out-of-form" Irishman.
Meronk, himself, while not commenting on the picks themselves, revealed his "shock" and "anger" at being omitted ahead of his Irish Open defence at the K Club last week.
Lowry himself hit back at some of the criticism yesterday, saying it "didn't sit well with him", suggesting he may have "shut a few people up" with his strong third-placed performance at the Irish Open.
Speaking to reporters in Wentworth this afternoon, Donald was asked about the Lowry call.
"He's very passionate. He loves those team atmospheres. He grew up around team sports when he was younger.
"Golf-wise, he's proven himself at many big occasions, the Open Championship, winner at Wentworth, he won a WGC. In the biggest moments, he's able to deliver. We saw some of that at Whistling Straits.
"Part of the process of having six picks, some of them you have to pick on just knowing that they've been there before. Knowing that they've been in those occasions and been able to handle them. Shane certainly fits into that category."
Having served as captain in Wisconsin two years ago, Padraig Harrington's days as a player were thought to be long behind him but Donald confirmed that the three-time major winner's form at points of the season warranted a call prior to the announcement.
A major winner and regular contender on the senior tour, Harrington was mentioned as a possible pick after his fourth place finish in the Abu Dhabi Championship and a recent top-10 at the Texas Open. Had he managed it he would have become the oldest player in Ryder Cup history, the current oldest being Ray Floyd in 1993.
"There were certainly times this year when he was showing so much form and being up there - he maybe didn't finish off the events the way he would have liked.
"But what he's been doing at his age, competing with a lot of the guys that are on the team is very, very impressive.
"He understood as a captain, there's a high performance level you need to warrant a pick.
"He knew he didn't do enough. But out of respect as a captain, I wanted to tell him there were times when I considered him because of his play."
Donald confirmed he also spoke Seamus Power, whose excellent form in 2022, which included a second PGA Tour victory at the Bermuda Championship, had put him in the mix. However, a 2023 season in which he was dogged by injuries, forced to pull out of both the Scottish and Irish Opens, scuppered his chances.
"I talked to Seamus on Sunday. He appreciated the call. Seamus understands that his form hasn't been as good lately. Obviously got off to a great hot start. Loved his commitment to come all the way to the Hero Cup. Got to know him a little bit better that week.
"Just saw some of the talents that he has that led him to so much success last year in the fall.
"He's obviously a great talent. He understood that he hadn't played well enough and had some injury issues. I spent the week with him in the Scottish Open and [he] was devastated that he had a hip injury, he couldn't play.
"Hopefully, he sorts those out and I told him you're definitely good enough to be in the next Ryder Cup team. That should be your goal."
