Rory McIlroy said he never considered the New Orleans Zurich Classic after winning this week as he believed he won the team event with good friend Shane Lowry a year ago, helping him push him to finally finish his professional grand slam.
“It’s amazing,” McIlroy told reporters at a press conference in Louisiana TPC on Wednesday. “Last year this game was a really cool moment for both of us. I think it might have injected me a little bit of joy in some way, and I think it’s really important not to lose that.”
“Yes, I had a great year last year for me and I think this game is the catalyst for a truly great golf ball for the rest of the year.”
McIlroy said the past ten days have been a whirlwind since beating Justin Rose in a hole playoff playoff at the Augusta National Golf Club, capturing a green jacket and becoming the sixth golfer to win the Masters, PGA title, U.S. Open and Open titles.
McIlroy and his wife Erica travel to London to see where they were. They visited McIlroy’s parents in Northern Ireland and spent some time with his caddie, Harry Diamond and longtime coach Michael Bannon.
“[To] “I’ve been celebrating with people who have been a part of my entire career and my life has been absolutely amazing,” McIlroy said.
McIlroy said he was fighting a cold on his trip but was ready to try defending his Zurich classic title with Lowry. They beat Chad Ramey and Coach Martin on the first hole of the playoffs that McIlroy made his debut last year.
“If you asked me a year ago, if I was going to be in this position and everything that happened,” McIlroy said. “But, honestly, I personally can’t be in a better position in my life professionally.”
McIlroy said the two presidents contacted him the day after winning his fifth major championship victory, the first since the 2014 PGA title. He said he also heard it from other celebrities outside of golf.
“A few days later, it was really amazing to be able to reflect on what happened and how big it was, and I think the biggest thing for me was how the whole journey resonated with the people and people who were connected to me,” he said. “It was absolutely amazing. Look, not one of my life goals and dreams that I could achieve every day, I was just really trying to enjoy everything that came with it.”
Lowry wonders if McIlroy still wants to compete in the Zurich Classic regardless of the 29th match of Augusta National. McIlroy attacked Twin Cypress on the par-5 hole (Par-5), Lowry told his caddie Darren Reynolds that they were lucky enough to play in the Zurich Classic.
“If things didn’t go, I don’t think he wanted to be here, I think if things did go, he would want to be somewhere else,” Laurie said. “But I’m glad he’s here.”
As they celebrate McIlroy’s elusive Masters’ victory Sunday night, Lowry asked if he still planned to play in the team. McIlroy told him: “Absolutely, we defend the championship.”
“I’m eager to get back there,” McIlroy said. “I think it’s the ideal atmosphere to do that. I think that’s part of the reason I want to deliver on my promise here because it’s an interesting event to go out with Shane. I also know that it’s not all of my work yet; he also has to do some work. Maybe a lot over the next two days.”
Lowry and McIlroy will serve in the first round at 7:52 a.m. ET on Thursday. Since the team format was launched in 2017, there has been no pair defending their championship.
“Once I came back from Ireland on Sunday, and then when I woke up on Monday morning, I could hardly get up. I felt so sad,” McIlroy said. “I think it’s an achievement just here and feeling better. But today I need to do some practice and some work to make sure I don’t let this person down this week.”
