Shane Lowry comes out swinging at Rory McIlroy's critics: "I feel like he gets a different rap"

Shane Lowry says Rory McIlroy is "unfairly targeted" and criticised more than he should be. 

McIlroy, 36, is now widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time after he fulfilled a childhood ambition in April of completing the career grand slam at the 2025 Masters. 

The five-time major winner has been an extremely popular figure across the globe for the entirety of his professional career. 

But he frequently attracts criticism for being outspoken on a number of subjects. 

Chief of which was his opinion of the rival LIV Golf League since its inception and the players that decided to decamp to the Saudi Arabia-backed breakaway. 

McIlroy, who has softened his stance on LIV, has also put his head above the parapet with his opinion on the forthcoming golf ball rollback. 

Unlike many high-profile golfers, McIlroy is among the few who are an advocate for the change, insisting it will make little difference whatsoever in the elite men's game. 

At times, McIlroy has also touched on social and political issues. 

Lowry told the Irish Times that he feels "semi-protective" over his European Ryder Cup teammate. 

In September, Lowry partnered McIlroy twice at the 45th edition of the biennial contest against the United States a Bethpage Black. 

The pair shared a point against Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay and put a point on the board in their tense match against Justin Thomas and Cameron Young. 

McIlroy and his wife Erica were on the receiving end of a torrent of verbal abuse from some members of the home crowd in the latter match. 

"I feel like he always gets a hard [time]," Lowry said. 

"Like he's Rory McIlroy, he's one of the greatest players of all time, and he puts himself on that pedestal at times and says some stuff that he probably shouldn't, but I feel like he gets like a different rap than like other players at his level.

"I feel like he gets criticised more than maybe he should do at times."

Lowry came to McIlroy's defence after the Ulsterman collapsed like a pack of cards down the stretch at the 2024 U.S. Open, surrendering a comfortable lead to Bryson DeChambeau. 

The capitulation and heartbreak led to McIlroy taking a short break from the game. 

Lowry added: "Like, after the US Open in Pinehurst, I was a bit outspoken about how much s--- he was getting for that, really, but [at Bethpage] was I ever, like, told that I was going to be his protector or anything? 'No!' I don't know but I feel like I played that role nicely."

Lowry on that Ryder Cup putt

Luke Donald's Europe raced into a seven-point lead after two days of action at Bethpage Black. 

Before a ball was struck in the Sunday singles, many suggested that Donald's dozen had the opportunity to inflict the heaviest defeat ever in the contest. 

But Keegan Bradley's men came roaring back and ended up losing by a margin of two points. 

Lowry holed a crucial putt on the 18th hole in his match against Russell Henley to retain the Ryder Cup, sparking wild celebrations. 

Minutes later, Tyrrell Hatton ensured Europe won the contest outright. 

"If you'd have told me [on the Thursday before the match], I was going to have a six or seven footer to retain the Ryder Cup in one of the last matches out on Sunday, I probably would have gotten a car and went to JFK, went home," Lowry said of the putt.  

"I was like, honestly, I was like, not wanting that at all.

"But I look back on it, and I'm like, that was one of the best things I've ever done, you know what I mean? 

"You have to live the pressure to enjoy it afterwards. But as it's all happening, it's absolutely miserable, it's horrible!"

Lowry added that he wants to be involved in the next Ryder Cup as a player and not driving buggies.

"I know there's a chance I'll be there in some capacity, but I want to be playing," Lowry said.