Golf star Shane Lowry has defended Rory McIlroy, following his latest major disappointment at last week’s PGA Championship. McIlroy began the week in perfect fashion, shooting a six-under-par 64 to lead the event after the opening 18 holes.
The Northern Irishman failed to replicate his day one heroics in round two though, meaning his final round two-under-par 68 on Sunday was too little too late. McIlroy instead was forced to settle with an eighth-placed finish, three shots behind Justin Thomas and Will Zalatoris, as the former went on to claim the title via a play-off.
While an eighth place finish is of course more than respectable, there is no doubt the 20-time PGA Tour winner will have come away from Southern Hills with some regrets.
McIlroy’s disappointment means his eight-year wait for a major title goes on, which has again opened the 33-year-old up to more criticism. His Olympic teammate Lowry, though, believes the four-time major winner should be spared by critics, praising McIlroy’s incredible record away from golf’s four flagship events.
Lowry - who carded a final round of 69 to leave him tied for 23rd - said: “The armchair golfers don't realise how hard it is out here. It's not as easy as shooting 65 in the first round. I saw a quote from him from last week, I don't know when it was from, where he hasn't won a major since 2014.
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“But he has pretty much done everything else you have to do in the world of golf. So it's not like he's in a slump. It's almost like you're a victim of your own success. People expected him to win 10 majors when he won those four and it just hasn't worked out like that. But he's only 33 now and he still has a long way to go in his career."
Following Sunday’s final round, McIlroy declined to speak to the media for a second successive day, as he headed directly to the car park after collecting his belongings from the locker room.
McIlroy’s next chance to end his eight-year wait for a fifth major comes next month at the US Open at Torrey Pines. Prior to that, McIlroy is expected to return to the PGA Tour next week, and tee it up at the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village.
