This week, Rory McIlroy joined his Northern Irish brother Shane Lowry at the Zurich Classic! This partnership, surprisingly, began over a drunken dinner after the 2023 Ryder Cup, when the World No. 2 asked Lowry if he would partner with him for the 2024 team event in New Orleans. Lowry, of course, excitedly said yes, and the European duo took to the TPC Louisiana course for McIlroy’s debut.

That simple proposal has now allowed the two to tie for the lead at the Zurich Classic after shooting a bogey-free 11 under 61 in the four balls. Looking at how well the two gel as a team, it’s perhaps impossible to imagine them not seeing eye-to-eye. However, 11 years ago, that was exactly how it was, all thanks to the “root of all evil”: money!

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry’s decade-old rift

The year was 2013, and Rory McIlroy had entered into a legal battle against his former management company, Horizon Sports, and agent Conor Ridge. Interestingly, the same company also represented Shane Lowry. However, unlike McIlroy, Lowry was on great terms with Ridge and the firm. In an interview with the Irish Independent, he exclaimed that during that period, he was torn between the two sides. “I had to pick a side, so I was in a tough place with Rory,” said the 37-year-old.

Thereafter, things began spiraling down quickly. “We went from friends to being acquaintances and it was just awkward,” recounted Lowry. What made things tougher was that since their initials were ‘L’ and ‘M’, the two almost always had to face each other in the locker rooms.

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Things got so bad that in 2014, Lowry sat in the Dunhill Clubhouse, compromising on his pre-game, while the 4-time major winner played his practice round. Lowry didn’t leave the club until McIlroy was gone, and recalling it, Lowry felt like it was all “bullsh*t.” He reiterated his embarrassment and regret for the 2013 rift and said, “I mean for f**k sake! Just sh**e.”

Fortunately, the altercation didn’t go on for years. In 2015, McIlroy and Horizon settled the case. And putting aside his ego after Lowry won at the Bridgestone Invitational that year, he called him to bury the hatched. “Money, exactly. It’s the root of all evil,” said the 4-time major winner, talking about their fight in retrospect. Both sides were relieved that things were better, and now the pair are closer than ever, with nothing but love for each other.

McIlroy has nothing but praise for Lowry and his lifestyle

Afterward, the camaraderie between the two exploded. Now, they even live beside each other in Jupiter, Florida, and their families are particularly close. Moreover, when McIlroy resigned from the Players Advisory Council’s director post, Lowry was one of the few who supported his decisions and advised him to focus on his game alone.

On the other hand, the 24-time PGA Tour winner was also appreciative of Lowry’s support. Talking to the Irish Times, McIlroy praised his fellow Irish player, saying, “I feel over the last couple of years that Shane’s been one of my biggest advocates. He’s a great person to be around and a really good influence on me.”

McIlroy even lauded Lowry for how he handled his relationships with his wife, daughters, and people from back home. Witnessing that, as well as his game up close, the World No. 2 even went on to claim that the 37-year-old “makes me a better version of myself.

The duo now prepares for the foursomes in round two at the Zurich Classic. Can their bond help them maintain the lead and eventually emerge victorious on the other side? Tune in to find out!