McIlroy praises close friend Lowry's 'class' following Irish Open win
Rory McIlroy has heaped praise on close friend Shane Lowry after his stunning Irish Open victory
RORY McIlroy reminded Shane Lowry about “form being temporary and class being permanent” after his close friend returned to winning ways by landing a record-breaking victory in the Amgen Irish Open on Sunday.
Making up for a couple of sore defeats earlier in the year, Lowry romped to an 11-shot win as he posted an incredible 23-under-par total at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel at Doonbeg.
The triumph moved Lowry back into the world’s top 50, handing him a timely boost in his bid to make Europe’s Ryder Cup team for next year’s contest at Adare Manor.
“Still a long way to go,” said McIlroy, speaking in a pre-BMW PGA Championship press conference at Wentworth, of that particular battle. “(But) like I said to Shane afterwards, on Sunday, form is temporary and class is permanent. He is that caliber of a player we all know he is. It was just a matter of him getting back to that point and winning a tournament.”
Lowry posted a course-record 62 in the second round in County Clare before signing off with an equally-impressive 63 to land a seventh DP World Tour victory and first in just under four years.
“I think him finishing it off in emphatic style the way he did, it will hopefully do a lot for him with how he approaches final rounds going forward because I think he would admit himself that final rounds have been a struggle over the last couple years for him,” added McIlroy.
“But I think for him to go out, shoot 63 on the final day leading your national Open with all that crowd support behind you, he really went out there, and he grabbed the tournament by the throat and made it his. It was amazing to see.
“He alluded to it on Sunday night as well. He's had some hard times this year, and we've had some chats and heart-to-hearts about it. All I can try to be is a good friend and provide encouragement and maybe provide examples of what I've tried to do in those circumstances. Yeah, I think it was only a matter of time. It was amazing to see.”