Masters star snaps and walks off from interview after question about Rory McIlroy

Shane Lowry gave a matter-of-fact response when asked whether Rory McIlroy can win the 2025 Masters Tournament.

McIlroy holds the clubhouse lead on 12-under-par heading into the final round at Augusta National on Sunday.

The Northern Irishman, who is two shots ahead of closest rival Bryson DeChambeau, will complete a career grand slam - winning all four of golf's majors - should he win the tournament.

Lowry, himself a major winner at the 2019 Open Championship, is a close friend of McIlroy, but the Irishman is still just about in contention on Sunday.

The 38-year-old is six shots back on six-under-par and tied for sixth place, with a second major win unlikely but not yet completely out of the question.

He was asked about McIlroy's chances of winning after his third round, but wasn't in any mood to answer.

He instead replied: "I'm not gonna stand here and talk about Rory for 10 minutes. I'm trying to win the tournament as well.

"I know that's what you want me to talk about, but I've just had a s**t finish. I've got a chance of winning the Masters tomorrow - I'm gonna go and hit some balls.

"I think we need time. 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.

"Tennis players have to talk to the media, but they have half an hour or an hour before they have to do it. I think we should have the same thing."

The Irishman then walked away from the microphone and to the practice range.

As he mentioned, Lowry had a difficult end to his third round at Augusta.

He bogeyed both of his final two holes to end the day on level par, and now faces a significant uphill task to get close to the leaders of the event.