Q. Chip-in on 17 and tap-in on 18 and nice way to ends the season, round of 68 and likely top three finish?
SHANE LOWRY: Yeah, obviously still a few guys to play but yeah, I'm happy.
Look, I played really good golf over the last while, and last week, I bogeyed the last two to finish 12th or 13th or whatever it is and come off feeling sour about the whole week. It's nice it do that. It's nice to finish like that, especially going into a break now. There's a lot there at stake. A lot of valuable Ryder Cup points for myself and I get a few World Ranking points for it, as well.
I feel like I'm leaving the golf course here in Dubai in a better position than I was this time last year, so pretty happy with myself. I think when I reflect on the season, I'm going to be pretty happy with that, too. I feel like I would like to have won, and feel like I could have with the golf I've played but I showed this year that I still have a lot of go golf in me.
Q. Nice break and take time off with the family. When will you return to action?
SHANE LOWRY: You'll see me in the new year at some stage, late January probably. I've been away from my family a lot. My kids are getting to an age where they really feel it when I'm away. It will be nice to spend a few weeks with them in Florida and go home to Ireland for Christmas. Excited for Christmas they are 7 and 3.
Yeah, flying home tonight. I'm very excited to see them.
Q. Obviously you hope Santa rivals for you and you get that Ryder Cup spot. Big year with The Open coming back to Portrush. That's going to be some occasion, as well.
SHANE LOWRY: It is. It's going to be great going back to Portrush. Obviously very fond memories and it will be a different week than it was the last time.
I think there will be obviously a lot for me to do, and I'll have to manage myself pretty good. I think it will be a little more difficult to come in under the radar than last time. I have huge things ahead.
First and foremost we look to April little and the Masters and look at the other majors after that, and forefront of my mind is Ryder Cup next year. I really want to be part of that side and I want to be part of a winning side. So I'll do everything I can over the next nine months to do that and hopefully get the job done.
Q. You've had a consistent last couple months, but your record in the majors, top sixes, you were right in the mix a couple of times.
SHANE LOWRY: Yeah, it's the golf I love and the tournaments I get out of bed for in the morning, and the reason I practise is those big tournaments.
I feel like I gave a good account of myself in the majors this year and the big events. All going the right direction, and hopefully the future is right.
Q. Rory is about to seal his sixth Order of Merit title to match Seve Ballesteros. He has fulfilled his potential in many ways, and certainly six Order of Merit titles is an extraordinary achievement.
SHANE LOWRY: Unfortunately for Rory, I think everybody looks at the glass half-empty. I look at it glass half-full. He's had an amazingly consistent year. I've had a consistent year, but he's had consistent top three finishes. Mine are Top 15s.
Like if he wins today, it will be four wins around the world. Obviously give himself chances and he probably should have won the U.S. Open, let's be honest, and he'd say that himself, but he didn't. I think he is more determined than ever to come out firing next year, and obviously the Masters will be on the forefront as my mind and same as myself, he'll be looking towards the other big tournaments and The Ryder Cup.
The career he's had so far is incredible. He has not dropped outside of the Top 15 in the World Rankings in the last 15 years or something. It's an absolute joke. He's putting himself up there with the greats of European golf, not that he already wasn't and I'm sure he's got Monty's records in his sights as well.
Q. Ryder Cup promises to be a hostile crowd in Bethpage.
SHANE LOWRY: Yeah, Luke will have everyone versed on how to deal with it. I just want to be a part of that team, and we'll see what happens.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports