AUGUSTA, Ga. — Tensions flared at Augusta National on Saturday as Irish golfer Shane Lowry delivered a rare outburst following the third round of the 2025 Masters. Clearly agitated, Lowry lashed out at reporters for focusing on Rory McIlroy’s pursuit of a career Grand Slam rather than his own performance, in a moment that revealed both competitive pressure and camaraderie between the two Irish stars.
Lowry, who carded an even-par 72 for the day and sits at 5-under heading into the final round, looked visibly frustrated after bogeying his final two holes. As he approached the media area post-round, he was immediately met with questions about McIlroy — who currently leads the tournament at 12-under — and whether Lowry believed this could finally be the year Rory claimed the elusive green jacket.
That was the tipping point.
“Are you serious?” Lowry snapped. “I just walked off the course after throwing away two shots on 17 and 18, and the first thing you want to talk about is Rory? I’m here to compete too, you know.”
The 2019 Open champion didn’t stop there. He directed his criticism at the media’s relentless attention on McIlroy and their apparent disregard for other players’ stories, especially after tough rounds.
“You guys expect us to come straight off the course, stick a mic in our faces, and be full of joy or insight,” he said. “It doesn’t work like that. We’re not robots. If I gave a tennis player a mic right after they double-faulted a match away, they’d probably smash it.”
Lowry then abruptly ended the interview, offering a half-apologetic remark: “I’ll probably say something I’ll regret if I stay here any longer.”
The media moment, which quickly went viral, underscored the pressure that surrounds McIlroy at Augusta — now in his 11th attempt to complete the career Grand Slam — but also highlighted the tight bond among Irish players. Lowry has long been one of McIlroy’s fiercest defenders in the public eye. After McIlroy’s heartbreaking finish at the 2024 U.S. Open, where he missed short putts on two of the final three holes, Lowry said the criticism aimed at his friend made his “blood boil.”
“I’m sick of the stick he gets,” Lowry said last year. “He’s the best player of our generation, and people act like he’s letting them down personally. It’s disgusting.”
Saturday’s blow-up seemed to be an extension of that loyalty — and a reflection of Lowry’s own frustration with how the media often sidelines his efforts in favor of McIlroy’s storyline.
Despite the emotional outburst, Lowry remains within striking distance going into Sunday’s final round. A strong performance could still put him in contention, particularly if McIlroy falters under the weight of history. Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau sits two strokes behind McIlroy at 10-under, with world number one Scottie Scheffler also lurking.
As Augusta prepares for a dramatic Sunday finish, all eyes will be on McIlroy — but don’t count out the fiery Irishman who reminded the golf world that he, too, has unfinished business at the Masters.
