Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry go way back—two Irishmen who’ve shared Ryder Cups, pints, and plenty of laughs over the years. But when it comes to the Masters, things get a little more serious. After all, Augusta National doesn’t hand out green jackets to just anyone. This year, McIlroy finally pulled it off. He dramatically won the 2025 Masters, edging out Justin Rose in a playoff and completing the elusive career Grand Slam. Lowry? Well, his week ended with an 81 on Sunday—one of the roughest rounds of the day—but he stuck around to celebrate his friend’s biggest moment.

Still, Lowry made it clear on the SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio podcast with Michael Breed that he’s not planning to be on the sidelines next April. In fact, he’s already set his sights on the green jacket, and he’s got McIlroy in his crosshairs. “I worked very hard to lead over the Masters this year,” Lowry said. “My number one goal was to get myself there—Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning—going into the final round, and I thought I did that very well. I just let the golf course get away from me on Sunday. I really struggled on the greens.”

That final round humbled him, but also fired him up. “I’ve never seen a golf course like that. Like, I’ve played late on Sunday at Augusta a couple of times, but I’ve never seen a plane that fast, that firm, that hard. And I’m not sure I was ready for it,” he added. “You do learn a lot more when you lose than you do if you win. I learned a lot from that, and hopefully I’ll use it next year.”

Then came the friendly jab—the kind only a close friend can make. “I always said I wanted to be the first Irishman to wear the green jacket, but that’s not achievable anymore,” Lowry said, laughing slightly. “So, my number one goal, one of my goals for the next 12 months, will be—hopefully Rory will be slipping that jacket on me next April.”

It’s all in good fun. But make no mistake: Lowry’s not just talking. He’s coming for that jacket. And Rory better be ready. But first, he’s reuniting with McIlroy for a different kind of team challenge—one that’s become a fan favorite for its laid-back energy and fierce competition.

McIlroy and Lowry at the Zurich Classic 2025

The Irish duo is back at it again this week, teeing it up at the 2025 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. It’s a rare team event on the PGA Tour calendar, and McIlroy and Lowry have more than just chemistry—they’ve got history, too. The reigning champs are looking to defend their crown at TPC Louisiana, where last year they delivered a winning performance that combined clutch play and undeniable camaraderie.

But this year’s event isn’t without a bit of drama. The PGA Tour has invoked “preferred lies” for Round 1—typically a weather-driven rule that lets players lift, clean, and place their ball on closely mown areas. The twist? Conditions are dry, sunny, and firm. In short: not your usual mudball scenario. The call has raised eyebrows in the golf world, with some fans and players questioning whether the move cheapens the challenge or tips the scales too far toward scoring ease.

Still, controversy or not, McIlroy and Lowry know how to zone in when it counts. They’re not just trying to win again—they’re trying to make a little Zurich Classic history by becoming the first team to go back-to-back since the event adopted its team format. And with the way these two feed off each other, you wouldn’t bet against them.