Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry explain past issues: "I hate talking about it"

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry appear closer than ever after starring in Europe's Ryder Cup victory. 

But things weren't always rosy between the pair, according to both golfers who recently gave an illuminating interview with the Irish Independent. 

McIlroy and Lowry were both previously represented by the agency Horizon. 

Four-times major champion McIlroy, now 34 years old, fell out with the agency 10 years ago.

It will come as no surprise to you that the issue was over money. "It's the root of all evil," McIlroy told the paper. 

Lowry explained:

These days things are now better than ever. 

Lowry picked up 1.5 points for Luke Donald's European side in Italy. McIlroy was the top scorer with four points. 

Both golfers were involved in the ugly scenes at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club when a row with Patrick Cantlay's caddie Joe LaCava spilled over into the car park of the hotel. 

McIlroy has since said he and LaCava are cool. At the time, he was filled with rage. 

 

 

 

 

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Perhaps things could have been a whole lot worse had Lowry not bundled McIlroy into a car to try and defuse the situation. 

McIlroy told the paper: "I feel over the last couple of years that Shane's been one of my biggest advocates. He's a great person to be around, and a really good influence on me.

"There's parts of Shane that I really love; I see how he lives his life; I see how he is with his girls, and the relationships he has with the people from home that are still close to him.

"He enjoys his life and everything he's worked for, and I think spending time with him makes me a better version of myself."

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