Rory McIlroy’s Victory and Fun-filled Golf Week with Shane Lowry at WGC Dell Match Play 2023
Join Rory McIlroy as he wins the WGC Dell Match Play 2023 and shares a joyous moment with Shane Lowry in New Orleans. See how their friendship, carefree approach, and competitive spirit led to a remarkable victory beyond the expected golf scores.
Rory McIlroy Wins WGC Dell Match Play 2023 with Buddy Shane Lowry
NEW ORLEANS, April 28, 2024 – Rory McIlroy, the world’s No. 2 golfer, celebrated his WGC Dell Match Play 2023 victory with a lively performance, singing “Don’t Stop Believing” with his close friend Shane Lowry amidst a drunken New Orleans crowd. This feel-good moment capped off a week that was about much more than just golf scores for the four-time major champion.
The decision to team up with Lowry for the PGA Tour’s only team event, the Zurich Classic, stemmed from a “really drunken lunch” after their Ryder Cup triumph last fall. McIlroy, who has been facing a stressful few years as the face of the PGA Tour’s war with LIV, needed this week to simply have fun and rediscover his passion for the game.
“This week was about reinjecting a little bit of that fun back into the sport that I love.”
Throughout the week, the duo embraced a relaxed approach, skipping practice sessions and making the most of the vibrant New Orleans atmosphere. Despite trailing the leaders by five strokes on the seventh hole, McIlroy and Lowry found their groove, birdying four of the next five holes to surge back into contention.
While McIlroy’s competitive drive kicked in towards the end, Lowry’s support and belief in his teammate proved invaluable. The pair ultimately secured the title after a playoff, with McIlroy earning his 25th PGA Tour victory and Lowry securing a spot in the remaining PGA Tour signature events.
This triumph was about much more than just golf scores for McIlroy, who admitted that the week was about “reinjecting a little bit of that fun back” into the sport he loves. As the event organizers celebrated the coup of having one of the game’s biggest stars win their tournament, McIlroy expressed his intention to return and defend his title next year, emphasizing the significance of this win beyond the scorecard.
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