Rory McIlroy to make post-Masters debut at Zurich Classic in title defense
Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry will defend their Zurich Classic title in New Orleans next week. The PGA Tour is in the middle of the season’s first post-Masters event as the RBC Heritage is underway, with an incredible leaderboard through Friday by the way, and as it is one of the year’s signature events the field began rather robust. Notably absent from the group though was the Masters winner in Rory McIlroy. It is certainly understandable to want the week after Augusta off and given the chaotic nature with which Rory won golf’s most coveted prize - the final leg of his career grand slam - it makes even more sense for him. But time goes on and so does the PGA Tour season. Next week will bring the annual Zurich Classic which features PGA Tour players teaming up in duos. McIlroy and his fellow Irishman Shane Lowry won the event last year and they will be back to defend their title. Defending champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry return to the Zurich Classic of New Orleans to defend their title. Teams for next week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans: pic.twitter.com/HCEJQwCioj— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) April 18, 2025 This marks the official first time that Rory McIlroy will play professional golf as a Masters Champion. It is still insane to think about, but it is our reality. While it is a stretch to say that Rory needs to keep his game sharp, the PGA Championship is now officially less than a month away and it would certainly help to keep things dialed in. Many have noted since Rory donned the green jacket how the PGA Championship is at a course Rory has had extreme success in at Quail Hollow... perhaps all of the stars are lining up in favor of him. McIlroy and Lowry won in New Orleans last year as mentioned, but McIlroy himself has already won several times this season. Rory was victorious at the AT&T at Pebble Peach and The Players before winning the Masters. He is in prime form and another win in New Orleans would only add to it.
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry will defend their Zurich Classic title in New Orleans next week.
The PGA Tour is in the middle of the season’s first post-Masters event as the RBC Heritage is underway, with an incredible leaderboard through Friday by the way, and as it is one of the year’s signature events the field began rather robust.
Notably absent from the group though was the Masters winner in Rory McIlroy. It is certainly understandable to want the week after Augusta off and given the chaotic nature with which Rory won golf’s most coveted prize - the final leg of his career grand slam - it makes even more sense for him.
But time goes on and so does the PGA Tour season. Next week will bring the annual Zurich Classic which features PGA Tour players teaming up in duos. McIlroy and his fellow Irishman Shane Lowry won the event last year and they will be back to defend their title.
Defending champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry return to the Zurich Classic of New Orleans to defend their title.
Teams for next week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans: pic.twitter.com/HCEJQwCioj— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) April 18, 2025
This marks the official first time that Rory McIlroy will play professional golf as a Masters Champion. It is still insane to think about, but it is our reality.
While it is a stretch to say that Rory needs to keep his game sharp, the PGA Championship is now officially less than a month away and it would certainly help to keep things dialed in. Many have noted since Rory donned the green jacket how the PGA Championship is at a course Rory has had extreme success in at Quail Hollow... perhaps all of the stars are lining up in favor of him.
McIlroy and Lowry won in New Orleans last year as mentioned, but McIlroy himself has already won several times this season. Rory was victorious at the AT&T at Pebble Peach and The Players before winning the Masters. He is in prime form and another win in New Orleans would only add to it.
