Shane Lowry frustrated after poor finish hits Masters hopes

Phil Casey, PA Golf Correspondent, Augusta

Shane Lowry admitted he was “p***** off” after a poor finish left him with a mountain to climb in the final round of the 89th Masters.

Lowry was within three shots of the lead when he picked up his fourth shot of the day on the 14th, but bogeyed the last two holes after close friend Rory McIlroy made a spectacular eagle on the 15th.

A third round of 72 compared to McIlroy’s 66 left Lowry seven shots off the lead with just 18 holes to play at Augusta National, where McIlroy can complete a career grand slam with victory on Sunday.

“I felt like I let a really good day go there at the end, so I’m obviously disappointed,” the former Open champion said.

“But just have to pick myself up and get some rest tonight and get after it tomorrow.”

He continued: “Driver didn’t feel comfortable today. It was hard out there. But it was great fun at the same time. It’s where you want to be. It’s what you want to do. It’s what you live for. But I want to win this tournament, so I’m p***** off.

“I got off to a great start. There was an unbelievable atmosphere out there. Rory obviously was playing good behind and the roars, you had to stand off it a little bit, wait for those to happen, wait for him to get the shots.

“But I’ve been around the block long enough to know that I need to do that. I felt like I did a good job. It’s just a very unfortunate finish. I’m very disappointed. But that’s this game.”