Lowry and McIlroy finish on positive note at BMW as Schauffele laments 'playing like ass'

While the Irish duo used their sweltering Sunday rounds at the BMW to tune up for next week's Tour Championship, the World No.3 missed out on the season finale for the first time in eight years

FEELING THE HEAT: Rory McIlroy hits from the rough on the first hole during the final round of the BMW Championship golf tournament Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Well out of contention and operating in the half-light of early tee times, Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy spent their respective Sundays in the sweltering heat of Maryland tuning up for next week's Tour Championship. The work was at least somewhat productive.

Lowry rebounded from a Saturday of struggles at the BMW Championship to shoot a closing 67 on Sunday, fully eight shots better than his score the previous day. It left the Offaly man on one-over for the tournament and hovering around a tie for 23rd with the destination of the $20m purse still up in the air, Ryder Cup teammate Robert MacIntyre and world No.1 Scottie Scheffler battling for the biggest prize in a topsy-turvy battle which opened the door for Sam Burns, Tommy Fleetwood and others.