Shane Lowry walks out of Masters interview after Rory McIlroy question
Shane Lowry was irked when an interviewer asked about Rory McIlroy at the Masters rather than his own chances of winning after his third round.
The 2019 US Open winner was well in contention of winning the green jacket on Sunday, as he sat tied-sixth heading into the final round.
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He was seven shots behind tournament leader McIlroy, but was not best pleased when asked if he had found himself looking back at how well his good friend McIlroy was doing.
"I'm not going to stand here and talk about Rory for 10 minutes," he said.
"I'm trying to win the tournament, as well. I know that's what you all want me to talk about, but I've just had a s*** finish, I've got a chance to win The Masters (on Sunday) and I'm going to go hit some balls."
Lowry added: "There was an unbelievable atmosphere out there. Rory obviously was playing good behind and the roars, you had to stand off it a little bit, wait for those to happen, wait for him to get the shots.
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"But I've been around the block long enough to know that I need to do that. I felt like I did a good job. It's just a very unfortunate finish. I'm very disappointed. But that's this game. If I play the way I can play, I'll be there or thereabouts."
The 38-year-old then suggested players should have more time to gather their thoughts before heading to interviews.
"I'm going to go and - we talk about Collin Morikawa a few weeks ago - I think we need time. I think I need a half an hour now to sit there and gather my thoughts. I can't be coming to talk to you guys straight away. It shouldn't be happening. I don't agree with it," he said.
"Tennis players have to talk to the media, but they have a half an hour or hour before they have to do it. I feel like we should have the same thing. That's how I feel. I'm probably going to say something stupid. I probably already have said something stupid because I'm p***** off right now. I'm just going to leave, okay?"
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Lowry then walked out of the interview.
It was not to be for Lowry, however, as he finished tied-42nd on four-over-par.
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He was delighted for his best friend McIlroy as he clinched The Masters in a play-off with Justin Rose.
McIlroy completed the career grand slam and Lowry could be seen embracing him as he walked off the green.
Speaking to The Golf Channel: "This means everything to him. This is all he thinks about, all he talks about.
"He always said to me he'd retire a happy man if he won the green jacket, so I told Erica (McIlroy's wife) he can retire now. He's had a long 10, 11 years, he's had a lot of hurdles to get over and it's a credit to him."
For McIlroy, it was a first Major in 11 years and a hugely emotional one.
"It's a dream come true," McIlroy said. "I have dreamt about that moment for as long as I can remember.
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"Watching Tiger (Woods) here in 1997 do what he did, winning his first green jacket, I think that inspired so many of my generation to want to emulate what he did.
"It feels incredible. This is my 17th time here and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time.
"The last 10 years coming here with the burden of the grand slam on my shoulder and trying to achieve it, I wonder what we're going to talk about going into next year.
"I'm absolutely honoured, thrilled and proud to be able to call myself a Masters champion."
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