Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy are teaming up this week as they attempt to defend the Zurich Classic title.
McIlroy won The Masters two weeks ago, whilst Lowry dropped out of contention on on the final day at Augusta National.
Lowry has since shared how happy he was for McIlroy to finally get his hands on a green jacket.
The two PGA Tour players are very close friends. Lowry often spends time with McIlroy and his caddie Harry Diamond off the golf course.
And you can imagine that the three of them will be having, as the Irish say, a good ‘craic’ in New Orleans at the Zurich Classic this week.
That was clearly evident during their practice round on Wednesday.
What Shane Lowry said to Harry Diamond before topping his driver during Zurich Classic practice round
Diamond has been on McIlroy’s bag since August 2017.
The pair have been extremely close friends since they were young, and despite receiving heavy criticism from some golf fans, nobody knows the 35-year-old’s game as well as he does.
McIlroy defended Diamond after his win at Augusta National, and it’s ridiculous that he even has to do that in all fairness.
After the pressure cooker environment of The Masters, this week in New Orleans will be a really nice change of scene for McIlroy.
During his practice round on Wednesday at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, Lowry had him, Diamond and the spectators in absolute fits of laughter.
The 2019 Open champion topped his opening tee shot off the first tee, and what happened after was truly brilliant.
Lowry said:
“I just said that to Harry as well!“
Then McIlroy replied:
“Yeh he said to me, he said Shane said, ‘imagine he tops this’.“
To which Lowry responded:
“Oh my God.“
What Lowry said about McIlroy in heated response after day three of The Masters
Lowry was really hot under the collar following a poor finish to his third round at Augusta National.
He was immediately asked by reporters about his thoughts on McIlroy’s chances of winning The Masters.
But the Irishman was in no mood for pleasantries.
“I’m not going to stand here and talk about Rory for 10 minutes,” he said.
“I’m trying to win the tournament, as well. I know that’s what you all want me to talk about, but I’ve just had a s— finish, I’ve got a chance to win The Masters (on Sunday) and I’m going to go hit some balls.“
Lowry went on to suggest that professional golfers should be given time to cool down after their rounds, before having to speak to the media, and he’s spot on really.
This week in New Orleans, tensions won’t be running quite as high, that’s for sure.
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