Rory McIlroy has named Shane Lowry's dominant Irish Open victory at Doonbeg as his second favourite moment of the 2026 season, just behind his own back-to-back Masters titles

Rory McIlroy revealed his second favourite moment of the 2026 season came while watching fellow Irishman Shane Lowry claim an individual trophy.

The world No. 2 had already enjoyed glory at Augusta, successfully defending his Masters title with victory over Scottie Scheffler. Several months on, he witnessed his Ryder Cup colleague and close friend secure his first individual triumph in four years.

At the Irish Open held at Doonbeg, Lowry delivered a commanding display in front of Donald Trump and the passionate home crowd. Beginning the final round with a four-stroke cushion, he fired a superb seven-under 63 to romp to an 11-shot victory, establishing a new record for the biggest winning margin in the tournament's history.

As he rolled in a 30-foot birdie putt on the 18th green, Lowry thrust his arms skyward in jubilation while the ball was still tracking towards the cup. He subsequently visited Irish pubs around Doonbeg to toast the victory with local residents, reports the Irish Star.

Speaking in Abu Dhabi, McIlroy was questioned about his standout memories of 2026, beyond his Masters success, and paid homage to his close companion.

"When Shane won the Irish Open," he replied. "After the struggles he had been through this year, and having played well but not being able to get over the line and getting it done; and then to see him play the way he did in Ireland and finish the job off, win by 11, the whole thing.

"From someone that's close to him and his friend, but just as a fan of golf, I think that was a big moment in the year.

"This is incredible," Lowry said after the win, wiping away tears. "I'm so happy."

Seventeen years on from claiming the Irish Open title as an amateur in 2009, Lowry lifted the trophy for a second time. His initial triumph sparked a stellar run of accomplishments, featuring a major championship at the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush and holing the decisive putt for Team Europe at last September's Ryder Cup.

"I said walking down the last, obviously Portrush was incredible, last year was incredible, and I feel like I can't better it," Lowry said. "But look at this."

Before his commanding display at Doonbeg, Lowry had found it difficult to crack the top 10 throughout the season. Victory eluded him earlier in the year at PGA National during the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, where a challenging conclusion saw him finish in a tie for second.

"He had a big chance earlier this year at the Cognizant. I felt like he never got going with his season after that. Knocked him back a little bit," McIlroy said after he tied for 41st at one-under. "To see him in contention out there, obviously the whole country would love to see him get it done, me included."