Rory McIlroy reveals what he told Shane Lowry after his Irish Open win, ’it was amazing to see’

Rory McIlroy has revealed that he reminded Shane Lowry that class is permanent after watching his great friend win the Irish Open by 11 shots on Sunday.

Lowry certainly helped out anyone who was keen to predominantly watch the Solheim Cup this past week as he quickly took complete control at Doonbeg. He ended up winning by 11 shots after rolling in a long birdie putt on the 72nd hole to send the crowd into a frenzy.

Remarkably, it was Lowry’s first individual victory on either the PGA Tour or DP World Tour since 2022. And of course, this season has been a difficult one for the 39-year-old after he failed to get across the line at both the Dubai Invitational and the Cognizant Classic with the tournaments within his grasp.

The collapse at PGA National seemed to knock Lowry’s confidence for some time. He failed to finish inside the top 25 at any of the four majors, while he also did not make it past the first FedEx Cup playoff event.

Rory McIlroy shares what he told Shane Lowry after his Irish Open win

However, he was able to put that disappointment behind him on home turf, with Rory McIlroy among those who were delighted for the 2019 Open Championship winner.

Speaking to the media ahead of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, McIlroy opened up on some of the support he has given Lowry throughout the season.

“Still a long way to go. Like I said to Shane afterwards, on Sunday, form is temporary and class is permanent. He is that calibre of a player we all know he is. It was just a matter of him getting back to that point and winning a tournament,” he said.

“I think him finishing it off in emphatic style the way he did, I think it will do a lot for him, and 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.

“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, as I said, I think it was only a matter of time. It was amazing to see.”

How Rory McIlroy reacted to finishing second to Shane Lowry at the BMW PGA Championship in 2022

It should not surprise anyone if Lowry and McIlroy end up battling it out for the title at the DP World Tour’s flagship event over the coming days.

Lowry actually finished second to McIlroy back in 2014, while the roles were reversed eight years later when it was Lowry who emerged victorious.

And speaking after his final round four years ago, McIlroy explained why he was delighted to see Lowry win if he was not going to be able to.

“I’m so happy for him. He’s played a lot of great golf this year. I think back to he had a chance at the Honda, got screwed with that big downpour on 17 and 18. Hilton Head as well, playing in the final group with Harold Varner. He’s had a lot of chances to win this year and hasn’t quite got over the line,” he said.

“I’m really happy for him. He’s played a lot of good golf and he deserves this one. I wish I would have made him play a couple extra holes maybe to get the trophy but incredibly happy for Shane and hopefully we’ll have a couple drinks tonight.”

Interestingly, McIlroy alluded to Lowry just missing out on the title at the event now known as the Cognizant Classic.

With Lowry getting that win last week, perhaps it should not be a big shock if history really does repeat itself and he manages to triumph at Wentworth.