Rory McIlroy has found the humor in his missed putt at the Masters.
Ahead of this week’s team-based Zurich Classic, McIlroy spoke to the media in a joint press conference with his close friend Shane Lowry. The two golfers were talking about their victory at last year’s Zurich Classic, where they won in a playoff against Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer.
Lowry’s clutch putt was the key to sending the match into a playoff, despite him using a new putter for the first time in New Orleans. McIlroy reflected on the win, emphasizing the joy of team competition.
“I certainly think it’s more fun to win as a team,” McIlroy said. “It’s a shared experience, and that’s a big part of it.”
Looking back at last year’s tournament, McIlroy mentioned how Lowry had brought out a new putter but still nailed a key putt in regulation to force the playoff. Lowry then humorously downplayed the significance of the putt by making a small gesture with his hand, suggesting the putt wasn’t anything special.
McIlroy, with a grin, responded, “Hey, I’ve certainly missed shorter.”
He continued, “Stuff like that—Shane was struggling with his putting, but he came here with a new putter and held a three-footer under pressure. That’s an important thing. Those little things can really set you up for the rest of the year.”
The group shared a laugh, knowing that McIlroy himself had missed a similar-length putt at the Masters that could have won him the tournament in regulation. McIlroy had chipped brilliantly out of the bunker on the 18th hole, leaving himself a four-foot putt to win. Unfortunately, the putt rolled just wide of the hole.
McIlroy made the second putt, but it resulted in a bogey, pushing the tournament into a playoff with Justin Rose. However, McIlroy displayed calm under pressure, making par in the playoff while Rose struggled with a bogey, giving McIlroy his first Masters victory.
The win ended McIlroy’s long wait for a green jacket and secured his place in an exclusive group of six players who have won all four major championships in golf.
The Zurich Classic kicks off on Thursday at TPC Louisiana.
