Shane Lowry brought the house down at a press conference ahead of the Zurich Classic, leaving Rory McIlroy in stitches with a sharp 12-word zinger. The duo, fresh off their victory last year, are back together and ready to take on fierce competition, including the Fitzpatrick brothers and the Hoygard twins. McIlroy, basking in the glow of his recent Masters triumph, couldn’t contain his laughter as Lowry lightened the mood during their media session.

As they prepared for the tournament in New Orleans, Lowry’s humor provided a refreshing contrast to McIlroy’s serious approach following his major win. The Irishman quipped about the surprising number of questions he received from the media, prompting laughter from his teammate. Reflecting on McIlroy’s dramatic performance at Augusta, Lowry admitted he had doubts about whether McIlroy would even show up in New Orleans after his intense Masters run.

“I thought it’d be hard to get him to New Orleans, no matter what happened,” Lowry said, recalling a moment of tension during the Masters when McIlroy faced a double bogey. “If things went well, he’d be off celebrating somewhere else.”

Despite battling a lingering cold, McIlroy exuded confidence, stating, “I honestly couldn’t be in a better place in life on and off the course.” The anticipation is palpable as the golfing world eagerly awaits the showdown at the Zurich Classic, where Lowry and McIlroy aim to defend their title against a field of formidable contenders. The stakes are high, and the camaraderie between these two stars is undeniable—setting the stage for an unforgettable tournament filled with both competition and camaraderie.