1 week Ago By Jack McEachen
Rory McIlroy could only laugh along when CBS Sports reporter Amanda Balionis questioned him about looking “the most happy and relaxed” version of himself this week. The new Masters champion is back in action for the first time since his victory at Augusta, playing alongside Irish golfer Shane Lowry at the Zurich Classic. The pair surged into contention on Saturday as they sought to defend their title.
McIlroy made five birdies and an eagle while Lowry added three birdies and an eagle of his own for an 11-under round of 61. No team has ever defended their Zurich Classic title, McIlroy and Lowry could be the first to do so if they enjoy a strong moving day on Sunday. They sat down with Balionis who asked McIlroy about Trevor Immelman’s recent comments regarding his emotional state.
“Trevor Immelman said this is the most relaxed and the happiest he's maybe ever seen you in your career,” Balionis said of her CBS colleague and another Masters champion. A humble McIlroy interrupted and replied: “Why would he say that?” Balionis joined in, adding: “I don’t know. Did anything happen?” The trio chuckled away as Lowry said: “If he's not relaxed and happy now, he never will be.
” They were, of course, referring to the huge weight taken off McIlroy’s shoulders by winning the Masters and at last completing a career Grand Slam. He had been searching for a first Major win since 2014 and finally got over the line in a playoff victory against Englishman Justin Rose. And after kickstarting celebrations both at Augusta and then back home in Northern Ireland , Lowry was not sure that McIlroy was going to turn up and help defend their title.
“I said absolutely,” McIlroy explained. “It's sort of a perfect way to get back in the swing of things. Being here with my man and trying to defend a title is pretty cool.
We have a lot of fun out there and that was obviously a great way to finish.” They were tied for fifth at TPC Louisiana and despite a bogey setback on the par-three 17th, headed into Sunday full of optimism. "Yeah, I feel like we played pretty well today, I think," Lowry said.
"There was a lot of holes where both of us had chances. Yeah, we went out and we did what we had to do.” A post shared by Golf on CBS (@golfoncbs) They were forced to endure a 90-minute delay due to lightning before McIlroy returned to eagle-putt the 18th.
"I think the secret is not thinking about it in those 90 minutes,” the Masters champ added. "We had a bit of lunch and we were watching some highlights from last year and talking about a bunch of -- where we're going to go for dinner tonight. The last thing on my mind during the delay was the putt, and then once I got back out there, I sort of concentrated on it and made sure I did what I needed to do and just a bonus for it to go in.
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