Shane Lowry Slams Rory McIlroy’s Masters Win as “Pure Luck” After 2025 Zurich Classic Debacle
The 2025 Zurich Classic of New Orleans ended in bitter disappointment for Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, but it’s the post-tournament fallout that has set the golfing world ablaze. Following a disastrous final round that saw the duo plummet down the leaderboard, Lowry unleashed a scathing critique of his playing partner, calling McIlroy’s recent Masters victory “pure luck.” The Irish duo, who were defending champions after their 2024 Zurich Classic win, failed to replicate their past magic, finishing well outside the top 10 at TPC Louisiana on April 27, 2025, and reigniting tensions between two of golf’s biggest stars.
McIlroy and Lowry entered the Zurich Classic as fan favorites, buoyed by their 2024 victory and McIlroy’s long-awaited Masters triumph earlier in April, which completed his career Grand Slam. However, their week in New Orleans was marred by inconsistency. After a promising start with a 9-under 63 in the opening fourball round, the pair struggled in the alternate shot format, carding a 2-over 74 in the second round. They rallied briefly on Saturday with a 66, but their final round—a shocking 4-over 76 in fourball—dashed any hopes of a repeat title. The winning team, Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, finished at 25-under, while McIlroy and Lowry limped to a tie for 18th at 13-under, a full 12 shots back.
Lowry’s frustration boiled over in the post-round press conference, where he didn’t hold back on his assessment of McIlroy’s recent success. “Look, Rory’s Masters win was just luck,” Lowry said, his voice tinged with exasperation. “He caught every break out there at Augusta—perfect weather, soft greens, and a couple of guys choking down the stretch. We’ve all seen him struggle this week. If he’s the so-called ‘complete player’ now, where was that today? We were awful out there, and I’m tired of carrying the load when it doesn’t go our way.” The comments stunned the press room, as Lowry and McIlroy have long been seen as close friends, often sharing laughs and drinks during their victorious 2024 Zurich campaign.
McIlroy, visibly taken aback by Lowry’s outburst, offered a more measured response. “I don’t agree with Shane, but he’s entitled to his opinion,” McIlroy said. “The Masters was a grind, and I earned it. This week, we just didn’t gel. It happens in team events. I’m not going to dwell on it.” Despite his calm demeanor, sources close to the team revealed that McIlroy was “furious” behind closed doors, feeling betrayed by Lowry’s public attack after a tough week.
The Zurich Classic exposed cracks in the McIlroy-Lowry partnership that had been masked by their previous success. Analysts pointed to their struggles in the alternate shot format as a sign of miscommunication, with McIlroy’s aggressive play clashing with Lowry’s more conservative approach. Data from the event showed the duo hit only 55% of fairways in the final round, a stark contrast to Cantlay and Schauffele’s 78%, and their putting woes were evident, averaging 1.9 putts per green in regulation compared to the winners’ 1.6. The loss also highlighted McIlroy’s inconsistent form since the Masters; despite the high of winning the Green Jacket, he missed the cut at the RBC Heritage the following week, raising questions about his mental resilience.
Lowry’s comments have sparked a firestorm on social media, with fans divided over whether his criticism of McIlroy was justified or a cheap shot born of frustration. Some argue Lowry’s own performance—particularly his three bogeys in the final round—contributed heavily to their collapse, while others see his point, noting McIlroy’s history of faltering under pressure in team events. As the PGA Tour heads to the Wells Fargo Championship, all eyes will be on whether this feud escalates or if the two can mend their fractured relationship.
