Livid Lowry in no mood to talk about McIlroy

A bogey-bogey finish to a fine third round at Augusta left Shane Lowry bitterly frustrated.

Shane Lowry of Ireland reacts on the 18th hole during the third round of the 2025 Masters Tournament. Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Shane Lowry was rightfully livid. Just minutes after a bogey-bogey finish greatly diminished his hopes of winning a green jacket on Sunday, he was struggling to articulate his disappointment as professionally as possible.

“It’s just a very unfortunate finish. I’m very disappointed, but that’s this game,” Lowry said after posting a level-par 72 that left him tied fifth and seven strokes behind Rory McIlroy. “If I play the way I can play, I’ll be there or thereabouts tomorrow.” 

It was a tough end to what was shaping up to be a great day for Irishmen on the leaderboard. McIlroy stormed to the lead while Lowry was contending for a spot beside him in the final pairing. When Lowry birdied the 14th hole, he was 7-under and just three behind McIlroy and a shot out of second place.

But he missed an 8-footer for birdie on 15. After a huge par-save on 16 drew a fist pump from Lowry, he pulled his drive on 17 into a tree. He gave himself a good chance to recover but lipped out a 3-footer for par that was a little too firm.

Another pulled drive on 18 had him scrambling again and he failed to save par from a short-sided greenside bunker.

“Yeah, a lot of pain, especially those last two holes,” Lowry said. “I enjoyed every bit of today and then I hit that putt on 17 and I couldn’t believe it. I thought I did great holing one back and then just hit a very poor tee shot on 18.” 

"I'm not going to stand here and talk about Rory for 10 minutes. I'm trying to win the tournament, as well."

Shane Lowry knows he has work to do after a disappointing bogey-bogey finish to his third round. pic.twitter.com/83UmIJfXDU

— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) April 13, 2025

No matter how close his relationship is with McIlroy, Lowry was in no mood in that moment to talk about it.

“I’m not going to stand here and talk about Rory for 10 minutes,” he said. “I’m trying to win the tournament, as well. I know that’s what y’all want me to talk about, but I’ve just had a shit finish. I’ve got a chance to win the Masters tomorrow, and I’m going to go hit some balls.” 

Media obligation has been a hot topic recently since Collin Morikawa declined to talk after losing a lead late at Bay Hill in March. Morikawa said later he “didn’t owe anything” to the media and it created a stir.

Lowry referenced that even as he stood there and answered questions like a pro.

“I’m going to go,” he said. “We talked about Collin Morikawa a few weeks ago. I think we need time. I think I need a half an hour now to sit there and gather my thoughts. I can’t be coming to talk to you guys straightaway. It shouldn’t be happening. I don’t agree with it.

“Tennis players have to talk to the media, but they have a half an hour or hour before they have to do it. I feel like we should have the same thing. That’s how I feel. I’m probably going to say something stupid. I probably already have said something stupid because I’m pissed off right now. I’m just going to leave, okay?” 

It was a fair point, considering he was standing at the podium within a few minutes of signing his scorecard. His candour under tough circumstances was greatly appreciated.