Old friends best as McIlroy first to congratulate Lowry

RORY McILROY was one of Shane Lowry’s chief cheerleaders in yesterday’s thrilling Irish Open play-off victory at Baltray.

McIlroy and Lowry developed a close bond in the former’s days as an amateur and that friendship was rekindled this week. Despite the horrendous weather conditions, the Holywood tyro and his girlfriend Hollie were amongst the first to congratulate the new champion.

McIlroy said: “I played foursomes with Shane in my last year as an amateur and we won the European Team Championship. Since I turned professional, we lost touch a little bit but we practised together this week.

“To come out and win in his first European Tour event is quite incredible. When he hit it to six feet or whatever in normal time, I sprinted from the players’ lounge in the clubhouse down to the 18th green and wasn’t going to leave until it was over.

“For any Irish player to win the Irish Open is terrific. For Shane to do it was extra special for me because I know him so well. It’s a little bit of a surprise but he played great early in the week so I knew there was something there.

“Now he has as many wins on the European Tour as I have.

“He’s got the game, he’s got the potential, he’s a tournament winner and he’s got a two-year exemption.”

McIlroy gave Lowry a quick hug as he came off the 18th in regulation and told him he was still going to win.

“I’m a lot more nervous as a spectator,” said McIlroy. “The adrenalin is running through you as a player but when you’re watching, it’s like you’re a bad passenger in a car. You’re on the brake, you’re not in control.”