I'm not going to talk about Rory for 10 minutes

Shane Lowry is still retaining hope of contending for victory in today's final round of The Masters and appeared to be irked that he was being directed media questions regarding Rory McIlroy's prospects rather than about his own chances.

The Offaly man, a close friend of McIlroy's, is inside the top 10 at Augusta, seven shots off the lead despite a late stumble in Saturday's round.

McIlroy leads the way on 12 under, two shots clear of two-time major winner Bryson DeChambeau, with the prospect of a duel between the pair whetting the appetite for what may unfold on Sunday.

But other contenders, including Lowry, have an outside chance of getting themselves into the mix.

When asked by a reporter if he had found himself looking back at how McIlroy was getting on during Saturday's third round, Lowry gave the notion short shrift and offered a blunt response, preferring to focus on his own chances.

"I'm not going to stand here and talk about Rory for 10 minutes," the 2019 Open Champion replied.

"I'm trying to win the tournament, as well. I know that's what you all want me to talk about, but I've just had a s*** finish, I've got a chance to win the Masters (on Sunday) and I'm going to go hit some balls."

Lowry added: "There was an unbelievable atmosphere out there. Rory obviously was playing good behind and the roars, you had to stand off it a little bit, wait for those to happen, wait for him to get the shots.

"But I've been around the block long enough to know that I need to do that. I felt like I did a good job. It's just a very unfortunate finish. I'm very disappointed. But that's this game. If I play the way I can play, I'll be there or thereabouts."

The 38-year-old also suggested that players should have more time to gather their thoughts before facing the media.

"I'm going to go and - we talk about Collin Morikawa a few weeks ago - I think we need time. I think I need a half an hour now to sit there and gather my thoughts. I can't be coming to talk to you guys straight away. It shouldn't be happening. I don't agree with it," he said.

"Tennis players have to talk to the media, but they have a half an hour or hour before they have to do it. I feel like we should have the same thing. That's how I feel. I'm probably going to say something stupid. I probably already have said something stupid because I'm p***** off right now. I'm just going to leave, OK?"

Follow our final day Masters tracker right here on rte.ie/sport on Sunday evening

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