Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry have teamed up on the largest stage prior to now however did not repeat certainly one of their well-known link-ups in 2026
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry have teamed up prior to now (Picture: Getty) This text accommodates affiliate hyperlinks, we’ll obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Study extra
There was no Rory McIlroy at this yr Zurich Traditional of New Orleans, bringing to an finish the Masters champion’s partnership with shut buddy Shane Lowry, not less than for now. Within the absence of the pairing, one other Ryder Cup star took centre stage and earned an X-rated message from McIlroy by the use of congratulations. Matt Fitzpatrick paired up together with his youthful brother Alex in Louisiana and the pair claimed victory by a single stroke. The win noticed the siblings every bag $1.43million (£1.06m), with the elder sibling listening to from Staff Europe colleague McIlroy after one notably spectacular shot.
In behind-the-scenes footage shared by the PGA Tour, Matt might be seen telling Alex he has acquired a message from McIlroy. “What a ******* bunker shot!” learn the message, in relation to a shot which set Alex up for a birdie to assist the pair safe victory. “I simply watched it, it was one of the crucial disgusting bunker photographs ever,” mentioned Alex, congratulating his brother on the outrageous effort. Each putt counted in the long run, with Norwegian crew Kristoffer Reitan and Kristoffer Ventura and American paid Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer every ending only one stroke adrift.
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The victory for the Fitzpatrick brothers noticed them comply with within the footsteps of McIlroy and Lowry, who gained in 2024 after a play-off in opposition to Chad Ramey and Martin Coach. McIlroy and Lowry tried to defend their title in 2025 however may solely end tied for twelfth, with Ben Griffin and Andrew Nowak popping out on high.
In 2026, with McIlroy sitting the event out, Lowry paired up with Brooks Koepka. Lowry and Koepka shot 9 underneath par via the primary two rounds however that wasn’t sufficient for them to make the lower.
The American has returned to the PGA Tour following a spell with LIV Golf and completed tied for twelfth on the Masters as McIlroy defended his title. Irish professional Lowry spoke in regards to the course of which led to him selecting a brand new accomplice after studying his buddy wouldn’t be participating.
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Alex and Matt Fitzpatrick got here out on high in Louisiana (Picture: Getty)
“I requested about 10 or 12 different guys first and so they all mentioned no,” Lowry instructed The Golf Channel. “Rory shortly mentioned after final yr, I do not suppose he wished to come back again.
“It wasn’t till the top of the yr I used to be doing my schedule, and I used to be going so as to add this in, that I knew I wanted to start out in search of a brand new teammate. I met Brooks down in Florida at a spot the place we each follow simply after Christmas and talked about that I’d want a accomplice for New Orleans. He mentioned he’d be up for it and it form of went from there.
“I mentioned it to his caddy, Ricky [Elliott], a few weeks later. Then I noticed Brooks a couple of weeks after that and mentioned, are we going to tee it up collectively? And he mentioned sure. So, good to be right here. It’s a must to have a number of majors to have the ability to crew up with me on this event. It is good that he mentioned sure.”
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