Shane Lowry has launched a passionate defence of his friend Rory McIlroy against critics who accused him of “choking” at last year’s US Open.

The Irish golfer didn’t hold back as he addressed the criticism aimed at McIlroy following his dramatic collapse at Pinehurst in June.

Lowry expressed particular frustration with what he called “couch pundits” who scrutinised McIlroy’s performance after he let a late lead slip, allowing Bryson DeChambeau to claim victory.

The 38-year-old Lowry was left stunned as he witnessed his compatriot’s major hopes crumble.

Rory Mcilroy is currently preparing for the Masters as he looks to win a first major since 2014

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Lowry was mid-air en route to New York when McIlroy’s misfortune unfolded at Pinehurst.

The pivotal moment came when McIlroy missed a short putt on the 16th green, followed by another on the final hole.

“When I saw the putt he missed on 16, I was like… pffffff. And I knew his putt on 18 was so hard,” Lowry recalled to the Irish Independent.

He described the situation as “devastating” and admitted: “I couldn’t believe it.”

Lowry had planned to join the celebration if McIlroy won but was ultimately relieved to have missed the aftermath.

Shane Lowry has launched a passionate defence of his friend Rory McIlroy against critics who accused him of “choking” at last year’s US Open

PA

What particularly irked Lowry was the criticism directed at McIlroy after his defeat.

“It does my f***ing head in,” he said bluntly about the commentary from critics.

“The f***ing couch pundits saying, ‘He shouldn’t have hit driver on 18.’ Did you see where Bryson hit driver? F**ing 20 yards left of where Rory hit it, but Bryson is a great lad.

“So that type of s**t does my head in.”

Lowry firmly rejected claims that McIlroy crumbled under pressure at Pinehurst.

“He didn’t play the last holes great,” Lowry acknowledged. “But Bryson’s bunker shot was unbelievable.”

The strength of Lowry and McIlroy’s friendship is evident, forged through years of shared competition and Irish heritage.

Lowry believes McIlroy remains determined to end his major drought.

“Majors are where it’s at in this game,” Lowry stated. “He wants to win one more. Well, he wants to win way more, but my guess is that one more leads to way more.

“He’s strong. Tough. He’ll give himself 10 more chances to win majors.

“It’s just whether he does it or not.”

The Masters begins on April 10, with McIlroy among the favourites.

The Briton’s quest for another major has been ongoing since his last triumph in 2014.

Rory McIlroy squandered a lead to miss out on US Open glory last year

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McIlroy is still pursuing a green jacket at Augusta, the only major championship missing from his collection.

He came close at the Masters in 2022, finishing second, and secured fourth place back in 2015.

A victory at Augusta would see McIlroy join an elite group of just six men who have completed a career Grand Slam.