Lowry: “Rory’s always said to me that he’d retire a happy man if he won the green jacket”

Masters champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates with Shane Lowry of Ireland after winning the Masters in a sudden death playoff at Augusta National Golf Club, Sunday, April 13, 2025.

Shane Lowry might have endured his toughest day in a major, but he was thrilled to see Rory McIlroy win the  Masters and complete the career grand slam.

Even after shooting an 81 to finish tied for 42nd on four-over, the big Offaly man was there at the 18th to envelop his pal in a warm bear hug after watching the playoff win over Justin Rose.

“This means everything to him,” Lowry said. “It’s all he thinks about. It’s all he talks about.

“He’s always said to me that he’d retire a happy man if he won the green jacket. I told him he can retire now.”

McIlroy ended his 11-year wait for a fifth major at Augusta National on a day of heart-stopping excitement.

At 10 years, eight months and three days, McIlroy’s wait between major wins was the sixth longest in the history of the game behind Julius Boros (11 years, 9 days), Hale Irwin (11 years, 1 day), Ben Crenshaw (10 years, 11 months, 25 days), Henry Cotton (10 years, 11 months, 23 days) and Tiger Woods (10 years, nine months, 29 days.

“He’s had a long 10, 11 years,” Lowry said. “He’s had a lot of hurdles; he’s had a lot of moments to come back from. It’s a credit to him.

“It’s a sign for the rest of us that no matter what happens or how bad you feel, keep going and keep working.

“Look, spending time with him and knowing him as well as I do, for him it’s everything. He might not want to say that, but it’s genuinely everything for him the last 10 years since he won the third one (major).

“Then he wanted to win this to get the career grand slam. It’s huge. It’s huge for Irish golf. It’s huge for everyone. I’m delighted for him.”