Portugal Masters winner Shane Lowry will not try his luck at PGA Tour Q-School

Shane Lowry: not going through with US plans now

Ireland's Shane Lowry has abandoned plans to enter the PGA Tour qualifying school after winning the Portugal Masters.

Lowry was due to fly to the States for the First Stage of qualifying this week, but has now entered next week's BMW Masters in Shanghai instead.

Victory in Portugal lifted Lowry from 126th to 74th in the world rankings but the rise into the top 100 came too late to get him an exemption to Stage Two.

The 25-year-old had also hinted at potential scheduling problems prior to his victory at Villamoura.

Lowry told the irishexaminer website earlier this month: "If I get through to Second Stage (of US Tour School) the problem will come if I make the top-60 for the finish of the Race to Dubai.

"And if I get into final qualifying the problem is that that starts the Wednesday after Dubai and that would be a long journey to make. It will be a tough decision, but first of all I have got to get through to final stage then I will think about it."

After climbing to 29th in the Race To Dubai, Lowry has now booked his berth in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai and has decided to make Europe his focus.

Lowry has also earned a spot in the WGC-HSBC Champions event at Mission Hills the following week.

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