Shane Lowry demands PGA Tour rule change after fiery Rory McIlroy clash

Shane Lowry has demanded that the PGA Tour change its rules to allow players to cool off for a few moments before facing the press after post-tournament rounds. 

The 38-year-old made the news at The Masters after he abruptly ended an interview session when a reporter asked about Rory McIlroy’s performance. Lowry suffered bogeys after an impressive start in which he went seven under by the 15th and recorded a par at the 16th.

Lowry Insists On Rule Change For Golfers

Lowry couldn’t hide his frustration after the round, and McIlroy put in a strong display thereafter. The 38-year-old didn’t hide his feelings when a reporter asked him about the eventual Masters winner’s performance.

"No. No, I’m not going to stand here and talk about Rory for 10 minutes. I’m trying to win the tournament, as well…," he replied fiercely before walking away from the interview.

Lowry insists that there should be a rule change to allow golfers to cool off for a moment before they go on to meet the media. He reiterated his stance after a round with Jason Kelce this week. The Irishman also pointed to the fact that tennis players are allowed to have a break before they face the media and insisted that golfers should have the same policy in place.

"I think a lot of players, a lot of even certain media members have said it to me that, you know, I said the right thing. I do think there’s a period where we should get for when we finish," he said. "Obviously, 80 to 90 percent of the time we’re fine, but like that 10 percent that you kind of need a little bit of time to cool off or get your thoughts, right? I do think the media will get a better view of what’s going on. If the players had a little bit more time to think about it."

McIlroy Not a Pain Point for Lowry

Lowry has also reiterated that he has a smooth relationship with Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman won The Masters to complete the career Grand Slam last month, and Lowry insists that he remains good friends with his fellow countryman. 

Lowry stated that his decision to walk out of the interview last month was due to being disappointed with his performance, and not because McIlroy was a pain point for him.

"No, like, obviously, I’m good friends with Rory," Lowry told the Irish Star. "So I have to talk about him a lot anyway, but I just thought the timing of it – I just bogeyed the last two, I thought it was a bit, yeah, you know what I mean?"