Rory McIlroy has returned from his post-Masters hiatus at the Truist Championship
Rory McIlroy is back at the Truist Championship(Image: Getty)
Rory McIlroy has returned to the PGA Tour after winning the Masters and is currently competing in the Truist Championship. At the tournament last year, his true colours were on display as he cheered on close friend Shane Lowry.
McIlroy made history in April when becoming only the fourth golfer in history to go back-to-back at Augusta National. He opted to bypass the RBC Heritage, Zurich Classic of New Orleans and Cadillac Championship after the Masters as he took a well-earned break.
The Northern Irishman’s absence ended on Thursday when he teed off at the Truist Championship, shooting an opening round bogey-free 70.
At last year’s edition, McIlroy finished seventh, but after the competition, his attention quickly turned to how his peer Lowry was doing. The Irishman was in contention for the title until the 18th, and McIlroy showed just how good a friend he was with his support.
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McIlroy had just claimed his first Masters title when he took to the Truist 12 months ago, and although he had ambitions to retain the title he won in 2024, he finished seventh after shooting 68 in the final round.
The 37-year-old headed to the clubhouse after completing, but stuck around to watch then-leader Sepp Straka battle his friend Lowry. The pair went into the final round in a joint lead at 14 under and they were still level on the back nine heading into the 16th.
Lowry fell just short at the Truist last year(Image: Getty)
But Lowry missed a par putt to bogey while Straka did not. Then, on 18, Lowry three-putted to finish tied for second with Justin Thomas and end up two shots off the eventual winner.
In a CBS behind-the-scenes clip, McIlroy is shown with his hands on his head after watching his friend fail to cross the finish line in first, showing just how compassionate a peer he is.
McIlroy demonstrated more sportsmanship by returning to the course to congratulate Straka, who won by two strokes. After finishing his own round, McIlroy said he planned to stay to see Lowry finish, praising his friend’s consistent performance.
McIlroy had his head in his hands while watching Lowry(Image: CBS)
“I’ve seen a big difference in Shane since he started living here (Florida) full-time,” said McIlroy. “We practice and play together so much at home. Just the back-and-forth from Ireland is tough. Even this time of the year, it’s still hard to practice over there.
“I just feel like I’ve seen such a big improvement in his consistency week to week because of where he lives, being able to practice in great conditions on great golf courses, get in games with the likes of myself or whoever lives down in Jupiter. It’s been amazing as his friend to see him play so well and so consistently.”
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