Shane Lowry sends his first message to Rory McIlroy on Instagram since his Masters title win on Sunday

Add as preferred source on Google

Shane Lowry has mixed feelings after another week at The Masters, where he watched close friend clinch the green jacket.

Lowry told Rory McIlroy’s wife he can retire after triumphing at The Masters, having completed the career grand slam in the process.

McIlroy now has five major championship wins to his name, but has finally been able to get over the line at Augusta National on his 17th start.

He finished his four rounds level with Justin Rose on 11-under, but quickly beat the 2013 US Open champion in a playoff.

Lowry meanwhile suffered a dramatic collapse on Sunday, dropping a huge 36 places to finish T42 in the final leaderboard.

Shane Lowry sends message to Rory McIlroy after he wins The Masters

But along with his understandable disappointment, the Irishman has now congratulated his good friend on his historic victory.

“The Masters is one of the greatest weeks in golf,” Lowry wrote on X. “I was so disappointed with my performance Sunday but I gave it everything and that’s all I can ask for.

READ MORE: Rory McIlroy suggests whether he could think about retiring from golf after finally winning The Masters title

“I’ve never been happier to watch someone else achieve something that I want so badly myself. Rory deserves every bit of this and I was so happy to be there to watch him make history.”

Shane Lowry’s entire Masters history after final round nightmare

Lowry was in contention to challenge the leaders heading into the final round, having enjoyed a strong start to his tournament.

The Irishman was keeping tabs on his good friend at Augusta, with Lowry stopping to watch McIlroy’s eagle on the 15th in round three.

READ MORE: How many millions of people watched the final round of The Masters on TV as seven-year record broken

But the 2019 Open champion fell well short of a second major win, suffering a brutal end to his week with a nine-over 81.

It was the second-worst score in the entire field as Lowry ended his week on four-over, in what was his 10th start at The Masters.