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.