Rory McIlroy has returned to the PGA Tour and is competing in the Truist Championship, with the Masters Tournament champion showing his true colours towards close friend Shane Lowry in behind-the-scenes footage from 2025
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Rory McIlroy has returned to action on the PGA Tour following his Masters success and is currently competing in the Truist Championship.
At last year’s event, his true character was on full display as he supported close friend Shane Lowry.
McIlroy made history in April by becoming only the fourth player ever to claim back-to-back wins at Augusta National. After the Masters, he opted to sit out the RBC Heritage, Zurich Classic of New Orleans and Cadillac Championship while enjoying a well-earned break.
The Northern Irishman’s time away came to an end on Thursday as he teed off at the Truist Championship, carding an opening round of bogey-free 70.
At last year’s tournament, McIlroy finished in seventh position, though his attention quickly turned to keeping tabs on how his mate Lowry was getting on. The Irishman stayed in the hunt for the title until the 18th hole, with McIlroy showing his support as a friend through his words of encouragement, reports the Irish Mirror.
McIlroy had just won his first Masters title when he took part in the Truist 12 months ago, and while he held ambitions of retaining the trophy he won in 2024, he eventually finished seventh after shooting 68 in the final round. The 37 year old headed back to the clubhouse after completing his round, but stayed to watch then-leader Sepp Straka battle it out with his pal Lowry. The pair had begun the final round level at 14 under and were still tied on the back nine as they approached the 16th hole. However, Lowry dropped a shot after missing a par putt while Straka held firm. Then, at the 18th, Lowry three-putted to finish level with Justin Thomas in second place, two strokes behind the eventual champion.
Behind-the-scenes footage from CBS captured McIlroy with his hands on his head as he watched his mate miss out on top spot, demonstrating what a supportive colleague he is.
McIlroy showed further class by returning to the course to congratulate Straka, who claimed victory by two strokes. After his own round, McIlroy confirmed he planned to stay and watch Lowry finish, praising his friend’s consistent performance.
“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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