AUGUSTA, Ga. — Irishman Shane Lowry — one of Rory McIlroy’s closest friends in golf — was so livid about his even-par 72 in Saturday’s third round of the Masters that ended with bogeys on 17 and 18, that he refused to talk about McIlroy and his prospects of completing a career Grand Slam.

“I’m not going to stand here and talk about Rory for 10 minutes,’’ an agitated Lowry said. “I’m trying to win the tournament, as well. I know that’s what y’all want me to talk about, but I’ve just had a s–t finish, I’ve got a chance to win the Masters tomorrow, and I’m going to go hit some balls.

“I felt like I let a really good day go there at the end, so I’m obviously disappointed. It’s a lot of pressure out there, it’s a tough environment. A lot of pain, especially those last two holes.

“But it’s where you want to be. It’s what we practice for. It’s the reason we get up in the morning.’’

Lowry then went into a mini-diatribe about how quickly players must speak to reporters after their round, referencing the recent incident with Collin Morikawa refusing to speak after losing the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

“I’m going to go,’’ Lowry, who stands at 5-under, seven shots behind McIlroy. “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 straightaway. It shouldn’t be happening. I don’t agree with it.

“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 pissed off right now. I’m just going to leave, OK?’’