World No. 2 Rory McIlroy is poised to make his first appearance since completing the career Grand Slam at Augusta National. The Northern Irishman will team up with Shane Lowry again to defend their Zurich Classic of New Orleans title next week.
The 35-year-old skipped last week’s RBC Heritage on the PGA Tour after seeing off Justin Rose in the first playoff hole to win the Masters and end his long wait for a major. McIlroy returned to Ireland to celebrate his victory but will now return to action at the Zurich Classic.
Shane Lowry Confirms McIlroy Partnership
Shane Lowry has confirmed that he and McIlroy will be partners again for the team event. The pair won the title last year when they defeated Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer in a thrilling playoff in Louisiana.
“We’ll be there. I talked to him….We’re good to go,” Lowry said. “To be honest, I didn’t want him to feel like he had to play because of me,” he added. “He’s not letting me down if he wanted to take some time. He feels like he wants to get back out there.”
McIlroy is also billed to play at the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte from May 8th to 11th. The five-time major winner will then return to major action at the PGA Championship on May 16 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. McIlroy will be hoping to win his third PGA title after victories in 2012 and 2014. He has also won four PGA Tour events on the
McIlroy Set For Post Masters Comeback
McIlroy is already looking forward to his first event since becoming just the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam earlier this year. The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is a team event on the PGA Tour held annually at TPC Louisiana.
The newly crowned Masters champion sat out the RBC Heritage, where Justin Thomas won his first PGA Tour event since 2022, and will face fierce competition from other players at the tournament as he and Shane Lowry reunite to defend the title they won last year.
Other players who will be in action at the tournament include the likes of Matt Fitzpatrick, who will partner his brother Alex. Former winner Billy Horschel will team up with Tom Hoge, while Aaron Rai and Sahith Theegala unite.
Thomas Detry and Bob MacIntyre will also be partners, and 2023 champions Nick Hardy and Davis Riley return. The Højgaard brothers — Rasmus and Nicolai — will also form a team, while Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald pairs up with Camilo Villegas. Two-time major champion Collin Morikawa teams up with Kurt Kitayama.
Main Photo Credit: © Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
