On the eve of their final round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans team event, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry were met with a standing ovation at the renowned, creole French Quarter restaurant Arnaud’s.
The captivating 34-year-old McIlroy had never played at the TPC Louisiana, but they also had the biggest, loudest galleries there. With a nerve-wracking par on the opening hole of a playoff, McIlroy and Lowry defeated Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer to win on Sunday.
It ended with Lowry giving a laughing McIlroy a bear embrace on the green as Trainer pushed a 6-foot par putt to the right of the cup.
Northern Ireland’s McIlroy captured his first-ever PGA Tour championship, marking his 25th overall. Ireland’s Lowry won his third tournament on the PGA Tour. With roughly $1.29 million and 400 FedEx Cup points each, they all left with success.