Furious Shane Lowry goes after Rory McIlroy's critics on eve of The Masters
European Ryder Cup star Shane Lowry has blasted critics of Rory McIlroy and Harry Diamonds on the eve of the 2025 Masters at Augusta National.
Shane Lowry says Rory McIlroy didn't choke at the 2024 U.S. Open as he launched a fierce defence of the Northern Irishman on the eve of The Masters.
McIlroy endured the toughest loss of his professional career at Pinehurst No.2 after he surrendered a two-shot lead to American Bryson DeChambeau down the stretch.
Lowry has told the Irish Independent he watched the drama unfold whilst he was on a flight to New York after his T19 finish.
The former Open champion said subsequent criticism McIlroy receives and scrutiny he gets ''does my f---ing head in'.
"People say] he shouldn't have hit driver on 18," Lowry told the publication.
"Did you see where Bryson hit driver? F---ing 20 yards left of where Rory hit it, but Bryson is a great lad.
"So that type of s--- does my head in, the f---ing couch pundits."
Lowry added: "He didn't choke. He didn’t play the last holes great but here’s my take: Bryson’s bunker shot was unbelievable, but would he have got it up and down if it was to get into a play-off?"
McIlroy's caddie Harry Diamond also came in for heavy criticism over what transpired at the U.S. Open.
Legendary golf instructor Butch Harmon recently told GolfMagic he believes the criticism Diamond receives is 'unfair'.
Lowry agrees.
"He's the greatest golfer of our generation and I don’t think he gets any leeway at all," Lowry said of his European Ryder Cup teammate.
"And some of the s---- Harry gets off the back of it, now that really does my head in.
"Dustin Johnson had his brother caddying for him for 10 years and nobody said anything; other players have had the same caddie for 15 years, but everything Rory does is scrutinised.
"To be honest, there is no caddie in the world that would be better for Rory than Harry Diamond.
"Harry is always there a day before Rory. He's always walking the course and doing his work.
"And I see it, but these guys sitting there on their stupid podcasts don't see it."
The 2025 Masters begins on Thursday.
World No.1 Scottie Scheffler is the favourite to land his third green jacket.
McIlroy is making his 19th appearance at Augusta National.
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