The real reason Shane Lowry did not party with Rory McIlroy after Masters glory

Shane Lowry claims he was not in the mood to join Rory McIlroy’s Masters celebrations last Sunday after a disappointing final round left him “dejected” following a late collapse at Augusta National.

Lowry, 39, had gone into the final day of the season’s opening major firmly in contention, starting just two shots off the lead with hopes of securing a maiden Green Jacket and a second career major. 

But the Irishman’s challenge unravelled spectacularly as he carded a final-round 80 to tumble down the leaderboard and eventually finish in a tie for 30th.

While his close friend McIlroy, 36, went on to claim victory by a single shot over Scottie Scheffler, sealing a historic triumph that saw him become just the fourth player ever to successfully defend the Masters title and add a sixth major to his legendary career, Lowry was left to process what might have been.

Lowry celebrated alongside McIlroy late into the night when the Northern Irishman completed the career Grand Slam at Augusta in 2025, arriving with a case of wine and joining the celebrations long into the night. 

This year, however, Lowry opted out of the post-victory festivities and had an early one. 

Speaking after his opening round at the RBC Heritage on Thursday, where he posted a one-under 70 at Harbour Town Golf Links, Lowry explained his Masters finish has taken him a bit of time to get over. 

“I woke up this morning and thought Thursday had come round pretty quick this week,” he said. “It’s been a tough few days. I feel like I played a lot of good golf last week and got really nothing out of it.”

Reflecting on his performance at Augusta, he added: “It’s hard to do that when you’ve prepared so much for a tournament like that and perform as good as I did for a few days, but I’m trying to take as many positives as I can.”

Lowry admitted Thursday’s first round in South Carolina was a challenge in itself, as he attempts to reset after the emotional toll of last week’s finish.

“It was always going to be a tough enough round to get my mojo back,” he said. “I felt like I played nice today, kept it in play. It was windy and tricky out there. I was in between clubs a lot and struggled to hit it close. But one-under is not bad and hopefully I can come out tomorrow and shoot a low one.”

Pressed on whether he joined McIlroy in celebrating the Masters win, Lowry confirmed he stayed away this time.

“I wasn’t,” he said. “Obviously the stories from last year, going round his house with a case of wine and all that. I text him Sunday night and just said, ‘Honestly I’m so happy for you, but I don’t have it in me tonight to come over and celebrate’. I was just feeling a bit down, dejected a little bit, so I just stayed at home with my crew. I’ll see him in a couple of weeks in Florida.”

Looking ahead, Lowry is set to team up with Brooks Koepka at next week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans, after previously partnering McIlroy in recent editions, winning it with him in 2024. With McIlroy opting out of the event this month, Lowry will instead join forces with Koepka, who like him is a Srixon staff player.