Rory McIlroy turned down the opportunity to partner Shane Lowry and compete for £7.1million by giving the Zurich Classic a miss this weekend. The Northern Irishman had played in the team event alongside his close friend for the previous two years, claiming victory together in 2024.

However, McIlroy has chosen to reduce his PGA Tour schedule this year, opting instead to place greater emphasis on the major championships - a strategy that paid dividends when he successfully defended his Masters title at Augusta National earlier in April. His absence left Lowry needing to seek out a new partner as he looks to win back the trophy. The Irishman has joined forces with Brooks Koepka, who last appeared in the event back in 2019.

McIlroy had also referenced a back problem in the lead-up to his Masters title defence. He said: "Happy I got through four days and my body feels good.

"I feel like my game sort of progressively got a little bit better as the week went on, even though the scores probably didn't reflect it over the weekend. I hit the ball well. I just didn't make anything on the greens. Happy to come through four rounds and feel like my body held up well."

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McIlroy edged out Scottie Scheffler by a single stroke to retain his green jacket and secure his second major in as many years. Though the celebrations were no doubt every bit as jubilant as in 2025, Lowry chose not to be part of the post-victory festivities with his friend.

The 39-year-old had entered the final day just two shots behind the leaders and firmly in the hunt for his maiden Masters victory. Yet Lowry posted an 80 to tumble down the leaderboard and finish in a share of 30th place.

The Irishman confessed he felt "a bit down" following his late collapse and informed McIlroy he would not be turning up with alcohol to mark the occasion. When asked whether he planned to join the champion, Lowry said: "I wasn't.

"Obviously, the stories from last year, going round his house with a case of wine and all that. I text him Sunday night and just said, 'Honestly, I'm so happy for you, but I don't have it in me tonight to come over and celebrate.'

"I was just feeling a bit down, dejected a little bit, so I just stayed at home with my crew. I'll see him in a couple of weeks in Florida."

Reflecting upon his own showing at Augusta, Lowry added: "I woke up this morning and thought Thursday had come round pretty quick this week. It's been a tough few days. I feel like I played a lot of good golf last week and got really nothing out of it."

"It's hard to do that when you've prepared so much for a tournament like that and perform as good as I did for a few days, but I'm trying to take as many positives as I can."