Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry produced superb displays on day three of The Masters, with the former storming to the top of the leaderboard.
Gary Player thinks McIlroy will win The Masters at some stage of his career, with the Northern Irishman now in with the perfect chance.
McIlroy led the way heading into Sunday at The Masters after a third round 66, following his first two rounds of 72 and 66.
The PGA Tour star entered the final round on 12-under, two shots ahead of LIV Golf icon Bryson DeChambeau.
Lowry meanwhile wasn’t far behind in T6, with the Irishman like McIlroy and DeChambeau chasing a first triumph at The Masters.
Shane Lowry watched Rory McIlroy’s eagle putt on day three of The Masters
But even Lowry had to stop in his tracks on day three, when his close friend McIlroy had a chance for an eagle putt on the 15th hole.
Speaking on Sky Sports Golf as the Northern Irishman arrived at Augusta for his final round, Andrew Coltart said: “There was an interesting little bit yesterday when Rory was standing over his eagle putt on 15.
“Lowry had already hit his tee shot at 16 and he was walking up and he stopped just behind the tree that separates the 15th green from the 16th sort of fairway, and he was just sort of poking his head out to watch his good friend and his Zurich Cup victorious teammate stroke that one home there for the eagle on 15.”
Shane Lowry’s PGA Tour wins as he takes on The Masters at Augusta
As mentioned, McIlroy secured the eagle on the par-five 15th, having done the same on the par-five second earlier in the day.
He and Lowry are European Ryder Cup teammates, while they managed to win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans together last year.
READ MORE: Rory McIlroy makes golfing history just six holes into his third round at The Masters
They also, of course, boast a superb combined success in major championships, albeit with McIlroy stealing the limelight.
And while the Northern Irishman will rightfully once more overshadow the Irishman on Sunday at Augusta, Lowry can be hugely proud of his week.
| Year | Wins | Tournaments |
| 2024 | 1 | Zurich Classic of New Orleans |
| 2019 | 1 | The Open Championship |
| 2015 | 1 | World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational |
The same can be said of his superb career so far, with his 2019 win at The Open Championship among his three PGA Tour wins.
He has also finished within the top five of the three other major championships, with McIlroy having won all three.
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