'I noticed on the Sunday, I didn't get as much abuse!' — Lowry jibes McIlroy's Bethpage status 

The Offaly man reflected on his Ryder Cup rollercoaster on Friday's Late Late Show and made time to meet Toy Show megafan Declan Ryan from Cork

ACED IT: Shane Lowry and young Declan Ryan (6) from Cork pictured on the Late Late Show Christmas special. Pic: Andres Poveda

Sunday at Bethpage may be remembered as one of the defining moments of Shane Lowry's golfing life as he holed the crucial putt to retain the Ryder Cup for Europe on US soil. But the Offaly man has fond memories of the closing day in New York for another reason — the belligerent, boorish American abuse he'd experienced on the opening two days suddenly went quiet, perhaps because Rory McIlroy was no longer alongside him. 

Lowry partnered close friend and European team leader McIlroy during the Friday and Saturday sessions on Long Island in September as the Holywood man came in for shameful treatment and intense personal abuse from the galleries. The Irish duo reached a breaking point during a stoic, stunning Saturday fourball victory when they gave some of the loudmouth Americans plenty of f-bombs back in response.