After Rory McIlroy finally won his elusive first Masters green jacket, his friend Shane Lowry hinted he might be close to hanging things up for good. "This means everything to him," Lowry, 38, told Golf Channel.

To be honest, I didn’t want him to feel like he had to play because of me,” said Shane Lowry, who teamed with McIlroy to win the title last year.

Shane Lowry sent a heartfelt message to his friend, Rory McIlroy, following his triumphant victory at The Masters, one that gives a powerful reminder of friendship in golf and in life.