Lowry Too 'Down' to Celebrate McIlroy's Masters Win

The two Irish golfers are close friends, but Lowry couldn't bring himself to join the festivities after his own tough final round.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:53pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist-style painting depicting a golf tournament, with the players and course broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a variety of vibrant colors.The emotional highs and lows of elite golf competition, as seen through a cubist lens.Augusta Today

After Rory McIlroy won the Masters last Sunday, he revealed that he had been tracking his friend Shane Lowry's score during the final round, hoping to be able to put the green jacket on him if he didn't win. However, Lowry struggled to a final-round 80 and finished T37. Despite their close friendship, Lowry was too dejected after his own poor performance to join in the celebrations that night, texting McIlroy that he just wanted to 'sit at home with my crew' instead.

Why it matters

The relationship between McIlroy and Lowry is a close one, with the two Irish golfers having supported each other throughout their careers. Lowry's inability to celebrate McIlroy's victory highlights the emotional toll that a disappointing performance can take, even on the closest of friends.

The details

Lowry, who started the day two strokes off the lead, shot an 80 in the final round to finish T37. Despite McIlroy's hope to be able to congratulate Lowry in person if he won, Lowry was too 'down and dejected' to join the celebrations that night, texting McIlroy that he just wanted to stay home. This was in contrast to the previous year, when Lowry had gone to McIlroy's house with a case of wine to celebrate his first Masters victory.

  • Lowry shot a final-round 80 on Sunday, April 16, 2026.
  • McIlroy won the Masters on Sunday, April 16, 2026.
  • Lowry texted McIlroy on Sunday night, April 16, 2026.

The players

Rory McIlroy

A professional golfer from Northern Ireland who won the 2026 Masters Tournament.

Shane Lowry

A professional golfer from Ireland who struggled to a T37 finish at the 2026 Masters after starting the day in contention.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I was out there today looking at [Shane Lowry's] score because I was interested to see, if I didn't win today, I wish I would have been putting the Green Jacket on him.”

— Rory McIlroy

“I texted him Sunday night, and I said, 'Honestly, I'm so happy for you, but I don't have it in me tonight to come over and celebrate with you.'”

— Shane Lowry

“This game has given me a lot of punches in the gut this year. It's testing me a little bit, but, you know, I'm not going to stop working hard. I'm not going to give up, and I'm going to give my best for as long as I may be playing this game.”

— Shane Lowry

What’s next

Lowry and McIlroy are expected to compete against each other again in a few weeks at a tournament in Florida.

The takeaway

The close friendship between McIlroy and Lowry was on display, but Lowry's inability to celebrate McIlroy's Masters victory shows the emotional toll that a disappointing performance can have, even on the closest of golf partners.