Rory McIlroy Falters Late, Hojgaard Wins Irish Open

Rory McIlroy faced a mix of disappointment and familiarity at the Irish Open, echoing past experiences. The scenes were all too familiar with Rory McIlroy’s crucial putt slipping past on the 72nd hole. The stunned crowd looked on as Harry Diamond offered a consoling pat on the back while McIlroy stood at the center visibly dejected. McIlroy’s bid for a memorable victory at Royal County Down ended in disappointment as Rasmus Hojgaard’s brilliance overshadowed him.

McIlroy sought to overcome past demons—his near miss at the US Open and previous struggles on Northern Irish soil. In 2015, he missed the cut at the Irish Open held at Royal County Down and his challenge at Royal Portrush in 2019 also faltered early. This week’s pain was particularly poignant as McIlroy led by four strokes in the final round but made critical errors on two of his last four holes, reminiscent of his US Open collapse in June.

A poor approach at the 15th hole and a misjudged putt at the 17th opened the door for Hojgaard. Despite his frustration, Rory McIlroy faced the media, reflecting on his near-misses and expressing hope for future victories. “I’m getting used to these near-misses,” McIlroy said. “I hope to turn these close calls into wins soon.” The crowd’s support was a highlight and McIlroy acknowledged the electric atmosphere.

His near-eagle on the 18th hole nearly provided a thrilling finish but it wasn’t enough to secure the win. McIlroy appreciated the local fans and is already looking forward to the next challenge, feeling motivated by his performance and support as he heads to the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and the Open Championship at Portrush next year.