Rory McIlroy says he wasn't going to let a cold or post-Masters fatigue stop him from joining friend Shane Lowry to defend their title at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. But McIlroy says he needs practice after spending very little time on golf since completing the career Grand Slam on April 13.
Rory McIlroy wouldn't let a cold or Masters fatigue keep him from a Zurich Classic title defenseMovie Review: A tactile, retro-coded fantasy in ‘The Legend of Ochi’Pastor calls for 'full Target boycott' over concerns about diversity, equity, inclusionNASA's Lucy spacecraft beams back pictures of an asteroid shaped like a lumpy bowling pinFACT FOCUS: Trump exaggerates revenue from tariffsThe top photos of the week by AP's photojournalistsA restaurant in Havana defies Cuba's tech struggles with digital menus and a robot waitressA 6-hour morning routine? First, try a few simple habits to start your dayCommunity, mentors and skill-building: Experts weigh the role of employee resource groupsPhotos of the Japanese Star Wars fan conventionVineyards in NY wine country push sustainability as they adapt to climate changeNovavax says its COVID-19 shot is on track for full FDA approval after delayUS health officials seek to phase out artificial dyes from the food supplyBelievers say microdosing psychedelics helps them.
Scientists are trying to measure the claimsThe European Union hits Apple and Meta with 700 million euros in fines, first under digital rulesTina Knowles is tracing the throughline of Beyoncé and Solange’s successVineyards in NY wine country push sustainability as they adapt to climate changeThe Afternoon WireSurvivors of 2022 July Fourth parade mass shooting describe chaos, panic and bloodshedVeterans Affairs asks employees to report 'anti-Christian bias' for investigation by new task forceOn the brink of the NFL draft, the biggest question surrounds Shedeur Sanders and where he's goingPastor calls for 'full Target boycott' over concerns about diversity, equity, inclusionNASA's Lucy spacecraft beams back pictures of an asteroid shaped like a lumpy bowling pinFACT FOCUS: Trump exaggerates revenue from tariffsThe top photos of the week by AP's photojournalistsA restaurant in Havana defies Cuba's tech struggles with digital menus and a robot waitressA 6-hour morning routine? First, try a few simple habits to start your dayCommunity, mentors and skill-building: Experts weigh the role of employee resource groupsPhotos of the Japanese Star Wars fan conventionVineyards in NY wine country push sustainability as they adapt to climate changeNovavax says its COVID-19 shot is on track for full FDA approval after delayUS health officials seek to phase out artificial dyes from the food supplyBelievers say microdosing psychedelics helps them. Scientists are trying to measure the claimsThe European Union hits Apple and Meta with 700 million euros in fines, first under digital rulesTina Knowles is tracing the throughline of Beyoncé and Solange’s successRory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, watches his tee shot on the 17th hole during the final round at the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, celebrates winning in a playoff against Justin Rose, of England, after the final round the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, with his wife Erica Stoll, and daughter Poppy, holds the trophy after winning the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, hugs caddie Harry Diamond, right, after winning in a playoff against Justin Rose, of England, after the final round the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. Winner Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, holds the trophy at the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. Shane Lowry, of Ireland, smiles on the 12th hole during the third round at the Masters golf tournament, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. Shane Lowry, of Ireland, watches his tee shot on the fourth hole during the second round at the Masters golf tournament, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, watches his tee shot on the 17th hole during the final round at the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, watches his tee shot on the 17th hole during the final round at the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, celebrates winning in a playoff against Justin Rose, of England, after the final round the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, celebrates winning in a playoff against Justin Rose, of England, after the final round the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, with his wife Erica Stoll, and daughter Poppy, holds the trophy after winning the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, with his wife Erica Stoll, and daughter Poppy, holds the trophy after winning the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, hugs caddie Harry Diamond, right, after winning in a playoff against Justin Rose, of England, after the final round the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, hugs caddie Harry Diamond, right, after winning in a playoff against Justin Rose, of England, after the final round the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. Winner Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, holds the trophy at the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. Winner Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, holds the trophy at the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. Shane Lowry, of Ireland, smiles on the 12th hole during the third round at the Masters golf tournament, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. Shane Lowry, of Ireland, smiles on the 12th hole during the third round at the Masters golf tournament, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. Shane Lowry, of Ireland, watches his tee shot on the fourth hole during the second round at the Masters golf tournament, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. Shane Lowry, of Ireland, watches his tee shot on the fourth hole during the second round at the Masters golf tournament, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. AVONDALE, La. — Rory McIlroy — his voice raspy from a cold that made it tough for him to get out of bed a couple of days earlier — expressed relief that he’d have a teammate to lean on in his first PGA Tour event since his historic triumph at the Masters two weekends ago. “Just to be here and feeling better is an achievement,” McIlroy said Wednesday while seated next to Shane Lowry, his teammate in this week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans,. “But I need to put a little bit of practice and a bit of work in today to make sure I don’t let this man down.” The way McIlroy’s humility and authenticity complement his extraordinary talent has made him arguably the most popular and charismatic golfer in the world. “It’s been an amazing few days, to be able to reflect on it and everything that happened and the magnitude of everything,” McIlroy said. “It’s not every day you get to fulfill one of your lifelong goals and dreams, and I’ve just tried to enjoy everything that comes along with that. “I obviously could not be in a better place in my life — professionally, personally, all of it,” McIlroy added. Golf wasn’t a top priority for McIlroy in the nine days between winning his first green jacket and playing his practice round at the TPC Louisiana on Wednesday. The Northern Ireland native went to London with wife Erica and daughter Poppy to check on a home they’re building there, then hopped over the Irish Sea to Belfast to be with family and lifelong friends. He received countless messages of congratulations from fans, other elite athletes and “people that you would never even think would watch golf or would know what’s going on.” He said two presidents reached out, as did some in the entertainment industry. Many communicated that they found his path inspiring not just because of the composure he summoned after losing the lead in the final round of this year’s Masters, but also in light of some of his dramatic final-round disappointments — or collapses — in years past. His 2011 Masters, when he shot a final-round 80 and lost a four-shot lead, comes to mind. “The big thing for me is just how the whole journey resonated with people,” McIlroy said. “People can see themselves in the struggle at times and everything that you sort of try to put into getting the best out of yourself in that journey.” McIlroy has been playing some of the best golf of his career in the past year — and pointed to his decision to pair up with Lowry, an Irishman and old friend, at the 2024 Zurich Classic as a “catalyst” for that. “This tournament last year was a really cool moment for both of us and I think it probably injected a little bit of joy back into golf for me in some way, which I think is really, really important not to lose that,” McIlroy said. That is why — despite his post-Masters fatigue and the cold he caught — he was “absolutely” committed to coming back. “It’s a fun event to be out there with Shane and I also know that it’s not all on me,” McIlroy said. “He has to do some of the work, too, maybe a lot of it the next few days. It’s a perfect tournament to come back to with good positive vibes from last year.” Lowry recalled being on the 15th hole during his final round at Augusta National, out of the running for a win and watching the leaderboard to see if McIlroy would finally get his green jacket. It was then that he wondered aloud to his caddie if McIlroy might skip New Orleans. “I was very excited that Rory still decided to come here because I just want to see what it’s going to be like this week,” Lowry said. “I’m sure the crowds are going to be huge. “I know he’s not done much practicing in the last two weeks. I know I’m going to have to step up, but I’m sure we’ll be fine,” Lowry continued. Lowry said he’s comfortable with his role on McIlroy’s team — even now that his teammate has reached a new level of historical significance in golf and stardom in general. “I’ve known Rory for years and we’re good friends,” Lowry said. “So, if I was sitting beside another guy that just completed the Grand Slam and I was his partner this week, it might feel a little bit different. But I know him so well. Nothing phases me being around him.”As controversies pile up, Trump allies increasingly turn on one another
Golf Masters Golf Tournament Olympic Games New Orleans GA State Wire LA State Wire The Masters JWD-Evergreen Sports Shane Lowry Northern Ireland Justin Rose London
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rory McIlroy Wins First Masters Title in Playoff, Completes Golf Grand SlamSource of breaking news and analysis, insightful commentary and original reporting, curated and written specifically for the new generation of independent and conservative thinkers.
Read more »
'Tormented' Justin Rose: Why my wife was Rory McIlroy's 'mystery woman' after MastersJustin Rose said it was “pretty funny” that his wife, Kate Rose was labeled a “mystery woman” when she was seen hugging and congratulating Rory McIlroy after his Masters vic…
Read more »
Rory McIlroy Returning to PGA Tour Next Week at Zurich ClassicThe Masters champion will defend his title with Shane Lowry at the team event in New Orleans.
Read more »
Rory McIlroy, daughter jet home to Northern Ireland after Masters winThe Masters champion has arrived back to the motherland.
Read more »
Rory McIlroy Wins the Masters: Grand Slam Complete Plus Augusta StoriesOn the newest episode of the “Dan's Golf World Show,” SI Golf's Dan Evans recaps the week at Augusta National and Rory McIlroy's historic feat.
Read more »
2025 Zurich Classic Full Field: Rory McIlroy Returns to PGA Tour Team EventThe Irish duo of Shane Lowry and Masters champion Rory McIlroy headline the week of two-man team play.
Read more »