World Number One golfer Rory McIlroy heaped praise on Shane Lowry's "ballsy" performance after he secured the win of his career at the WGC Bridgestone-Invitational.
Lowry claimed the $1.5m prize money after finishing 11 under at Firestone, 2014 winner McIlroy was unable to defend his title at the event through an ankle injury he sustained playing football with his friends last month.
The pair are friends and McIlroy said he texted Lowry following his victory.
I texted him last night and said it was a pretty ballsy victory. And yes, he could be in the Olympics too, depending on how everything goes the next 52 weeks
McIlroy also continued to heap praise on Lowry's performance.
Shane's victory was fantastic. Once he got into the lead, he hit a couple of wonder shots- that shot on 10, which was incredible. And he holed some big par putt putts down the stretch.
There's more positive news on McIlroy's return from injury also, the Northern Irishman said he'd been practicing at Wisconson ahead of the PGA Championship next week.
If anything, my ankle feels even better when I swing hard. I'm ready to play and I expect to do well.
We won't be greedy so we'll be happy with Lowry and McIlroy both being in contention on the final day.
