Shane Lowry was irked when an interviewer asked about Rory McIlroy at the Masters rather than his own chances of winning after his third round.

The 2019 US Open winner is well in contention of winning the green jacket on Sunday, sitting at tied-sixth on five-under-par.

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He is seven shots behind tournament leader McIlroy, who charged up the leaderboard with his eyes firmly set on completing the career grand slam.

Lowry has an outside chance of winning his second major, but was not best pleased when asked if he had found himself looking back at how well his good friend McIlroy was doing.

“I’m not going to stand here and talk about Rory for 10 minutes,” he said.

“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 then suggested players should have more time to gather their thoughts before heading to interviews.

“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, okay?”

Lowry then walked out of the interview.

The Masters X

He will head out with defending champion Scottie Scheffler at 7pm UK time, while McIlroy will renew his rivalry with Bryson DeChambeau.

The American edged out McIlroy in dramatic fashion to win his second US Open title at Pinehurst last year and is the Northern Irishman’s nearest challenger on 10-under.

McIlroy is on the same 12-under score after 54 holes that he was in 2011 when he famously collapsed on the final round.

On that occasion the 21-year-old was four shots clear of four players, including eventual champion Charl Schwartzel, who capitalised on McIlroy collapsing to a closing 80.

“Obviously it was a dream start,” McIlroy added. “Hit two perfect shots on one and converted, three perfect shots on two, three perfect shots on three.

“From finishing yesterday afternoon to teeing off today there’s a lot of anticipation and anxious energy and with all of that, to start the way I did was amazing.

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“I had a little wobble around the turn there and I thought the par putt on 11 was huge to get some momentum back. After that all I was trying to do was take advantage of the par fives coming in and I was able to do that.”

McIlroy said he had no idea how he spent Saturday evening in 2011 when he held a four-shot lead before collapsing to a closing 80, but would likely watch an episode of Bridgerton and keep off his phone tonight.

“I still have to remind myself there’s a long way to go,” he added. “I, just as much as anyone else, know what can happen on the final day here.

“I came in here talking about being the most complete version of myself as a golfer, I just have to keep reminding myself that no matter what situation I find myself in tomorrow I’ll be able to handle it.”