SHANE LOWRY has backed his countryman Rory McIlroy to quickly get over his Masters failure. McIlroy, who is the second-ranked player in the world, produced a second-round 77.
The Holywood native bogeyed holes 2, 3, 6, 7, and 11 to go 5 over par and with that missed the cut for the third round. This was a disaster for the pre-tournament joint favorite. Many people backed McIlroy to end his Masters jinx, but that wasn't meant to be.
Seamus Power and Shane Lowry felt for Rory McIlroy but they’re convinced he will bounce backhttps://t.co/RrIdFUqxGl
— Belfast Telegraph Sport (@BelTel_Sport) April 10, 2023
Lowry, who finished in a tie for 16th at Augusta, backed McIlroy to get over it sooner rather than later: "To be honest, I felt like he was going to have a good week this week," Lowry said.
"I spent a lot of time with him over the last couple of weeks, but that’s golf. A lot of times you don’t get what you deserve. It’s obviously been very tough for him. I’ll catch up with him next week. I’m sure he’ll get over it. I’m sure he’s fine."
McIlroy and Lowry will have to emulate Jon Rahm's 2023 victory if they are to do so. Spain's Rahm managed to win the iconic green jacket on Sunday.
The 28-year-old finished the final round with a three-under 69 to finish on 12 under and win by four shots ahead of Brooks Koepka.
Rahm dedicated his win to the late Seve Ballesteros, who also came from Spain. Ballesteros won numerous tournaments throughout his career, including five major championships: The Open in 1979, 1984, and 1988, and the Masters in 1980 and 1983.
Ballesteros passed away in 2011, at the age of 54, but his legacy as one of the greatest golfers has never been forgotten.
"History of the game is a big part of why I play and one of the reasons why I play, and Seve being one of them," said Rahm, whose father took up golf after watching Ballesteros captain Europe to victory in the 1997 Ryder Cup at Valderrama.
"If it wasn't for that Ryder Cup in '97, my dad and I talk about it all the time, we don't know where I would be or where as a family we would be. For me to get it done on the 40th anniversary of his win, his birthday, on Easter Sunday, it's incredibly meaningful."
JOHN RAHM MASTERS CHAMPION pic.twitter.com/AXeKhhSjiR
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) April 9, 2023
