Shane Lowry joins his close friend and defending champion Rory McIlroy in searching for success at The Masters.
The first major championship of the 2026 season has arrived at Augusta National, the site of McIlroy’s famous playoff win over Justin Rose in 2025.
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Lowry finished T42 at The Masters last year, but will have taken huge joy from seeing McIlroy end his years of pain by claiming the green jacket.
The Irishman has, of course, also tasted major success, with Lowry having won The Open Championship in 2019.
He also holed the winning putt at last year’s Ryder Cup, but has now admitted that McIlroy could hand him his best career moment at Augusta.
Rory McIlroy handing Shane Lowry the green jacket would be a ‘fairytale’
When it was put to Lowry that McIlroy would be the man handing him the green jacket should he win The Masters this week, he told BBC Sport: “That’s fairytale stuff.
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“Here’s hoping anyway. I’ve done a lot of cool things in golf but that might top them all.”
It would be a dream moment for the Irishman, who is all set to make his 11th start at the prestigious major championship.
His best finish arrived back in 2022, when Lowry finished T3 with Cameron Smith, two shots behind McIlroy in second and five behind champion Scottie Scheffler.
It was indeed Scheffler who donned the green jacket on McIlroy last time out, with both players likely to continue their rivalry on the course this week.
Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Shane Lowry praises Padraig Harrington’s impact on Irish golf
Lowry will, of course, be hoping to be in contention in the latter stages of the tournament, as he looks to continue a successful period for Irish golfers.
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“I think we owe a lot to like even Padraig Harrington for what he did,” said Lowry. “He kind of paved the way for the rest of us you know.
“And obviously Graeme [McDowell] and Darren [Clarke] and Rory and myself now, it’s been an incredible sort of 20 years for Irish golf.
“Me and Rory are out here, young Tom [McKibbin] here this week as well, we’re out here trying to keep it going as best we can.”
There has indeed been fantastic success for Irish golfers over the years, particularly in major championships.
McIlroy is a five-time winner and has completed the career grand slam, while Harrington has three major wins to his name.
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Meanwhile, Lowry is joined on one major success by McDowell and Clarke, with McKibbin certainly holding the potential to one day follow in their footsteps.
Lowry starts his bid for another title alongside Jason Day and Dustin Johnson, while McIlroy is paired with Cameron Young and Mason Howell.
McKibbin, who currently competes on LIV Golf, will play alongside Brian Campbell and Andrew Novak for rounds one and two.
Read more:
Gary Player sends message to Rory McIlroy on social media after his first ever Champions Dinner
What Johnson Wagner expects Bryson DeChambeau to do at The Masters after playing with Rory McIlroy last year
Augusta Masters prize money 2026: How much will winner earn compared to Rory McIlroy in 2025
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