Rory McIlroy’s defence of the Irish Open ended with a whimper, and he must now watch on as Shane Lowry looks to get the job done.
Rory McIlroy plays from the rough on the third green(Image: Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady)
Rory McIlroy will be hoping his beginning of the season advice will give Shane Lowry the boost he needs to get over the line and win his second ever Irish Open.
It has been a frustrating week for defending champion McIlroy, who has been stone cold on the green across the four days, while some erratic driving has left him scrambling to get back into position on too many occasions.
His defence of the Irish Open virtually ended with two double-bogeys inside the first six holes on Saturday, and he will be forced to watch on as his great buddy Lowry tries to hold onto a four-shot lead ahead of Jakob Skov Olesen.
McIlroy has no doubt that Lowry has the bottle to get over the line this afternoon and cap off one of the most unique Irish Opens ever, and thinks the presence of a certain US President would help make a potential win all the more memorable.
“I think it would be a great way to cap off. I mean, I think the thing is, I said it at the start of the week, The president being here brings more eyeballs to the Irish Open,” McIlroy said after carding a final round of 67, to finish his tournament on 1-under.
“So, in a way, that’s a good thing. If Shane goes on to win today, it will give that win even more attention in a good way. We’re all hoping that that’s what’s going to happen.”
Lowry has struggled to get over the line in recent times, infamously collapsing at the Cognizant Classic while holding a three-shot lead at the beginning of the year.
Rory, who has been in the same boat in the past, imparted words of wisdom to Lowry after that debacle.
“It would be an amazing way to end the week, and it would be an amazing thing for Shane, after… he would tell you himself, after struggling for most of the year after he didn’t get that win at the Cognizant. We’re all cheering him on, and hopefully he gets it done.
“Everyone learns at different rates or takes different things away from different circumstances.
“I said to Shane, in 2014, I blew a four-shot lead at the Cognizant, lost in a playoff, and then ended up winning two majors that year.
“So don’t let one bad result sort of get to you. But sometimes it’s hard not to let it get to you, and it sort of knocks your confidence a little bit. But he’s been chipping away, and slowly getting himself back into some really, really good form. Obviously a culmination this week where he’s where he’s played well and fed off the crowd. He would admit himself it hasn’t been his best season, but this would be a great way to to get everything back on track.”
Whatever happens, McIlroy won’t be in Doonbeg to see the climax of the Irish Open: “I’m gonna go see my girls in London. I’m gonna get out of here quickly. They just got into London this morning, so I’ll head over there and get back to them and get ready for next week.”
