Shane Lowry storms out of Masters interview after Rory McIlroy question

Shane Lowry was noticeably irritated during his post-round mixed zone interviews at the Masters, aborting the session when asked about performance. Going seven under by the 15th, Lowry impressed with a par on the 16th after a tricky bunker situation. However, he hit a rough patch ending with bogeys on both the 17th and 18th holes.

The Irish golfer, who played just before the in-form McIlroy, stormed off the course absolutely livid. Close pals they may be, but Lowry made it abundantly clear he is more than McIlroy's sideline supporter when pressed about the Ulsterman. "No. No, I'm not going to stand here and talk about Rory for 10 minutes," he snapped, reports .

"I'm trying to win the tournament, as well.

"I know that's what y'all want me to talk about, but I've just had a s*** finish, I've got a chance to win the Masters tomorrow, and I'm going to go hit some balls."

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Later on, however, it was Lowry who brought McIlroy into the conversation, admitting that his friend's performance was partly why there was such an electrifying buzz around Augusta National that Saturday.

"I got off to a great start," Lowry reflected. "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. If I play the way I can play, I'll be there or thereabouts tomorrow."

But when questioned about the discomfort he felt on the course today, Lowry's frustration appeared to escalate, prompting him to abruptly exit the mixed zone podium. "Yeah, a lot of pain, especially those last two holes," he admitted.

"I enjoyed every bit of today and then I hit that putt on 17 and I couldn't believe it. I thought I did great holing one back and then just hit a very poor tee shot on 18.

"I'm going to go and - we talk about Collin Morikawa a few weeks ago. I think we need time. I think I need a half an hour now to sit there and gather my thoughts. I can't be coming to talk to you guys straight away. It shouldn't be happening. I don't agree with it.

"Tennis players have to talk to the media, but they have a half an hour or hour before they have to do it. I feel like we should have the same thing. That's how I feel.

"I'm probably going to say something stupid. I probably already have said something stupid because I'm p***ed off right now. I'm just going to leave, okay?".