McIlroy loved being homecoming hero but Hojgaard serves more agony

McIlroy had his hopes of a first professional victory on home soil in Northern Ireland undone at the 15th and 17th holes, a three-putt at the latter handing the initiative to the 23-year-old Hojgaard for the fifth DP World Tour victory of his career thanks to a final-round, six-under-par 65. It meant the Irishman, who had led the field by a shot after 54 holes, had to settle for second place, his closing 69 leaving him one off the Dane’s nine-under-par finishing score, with Italy’s Mateo Manassero a further stroke behind on seven under.

Hojgaard was good value for his victory and the €920,000-plus winner’s cheque as he became the fourth Danish winner of the Irish Open, following compatriot and 2016 winner Soren Kjeldsen as a champion at Royal County Down. He had piled the pressure on McIlroy by chipping in for birdie from 19 yards out and finishing with a hat-trick of birdies, including holing out from a greenside bunker at 17. It was form the four-time major champion could not contend with.

“Felt like I was in control of the tournament for most of the day,” McIlroy said. “Felt like I was playing really solid, doing what I needed to do, making a lot of pars, making the odd birdie. Then obviously the two bogeys on 15 and 17 opened the door for someone to have a good finish like what Rasmus did there on the last few holes.

“Overall, yeah, obviously really disappointed that I didn’t win but I’ll try to take the positives and move on next week to Wentworth.”

McIlroy has a chance to rebound at the BMW PGA Championship in England next week but his experience on home soil, cheered on by thousands of home supporters who followed his every shot, was one to remember as he also looked ahead to the 2025 Open Championship at the Co. Antrim links at Portrush.

“The support I got out there this week was absolutely amazing. I’ve had a great time being home. It’s been too long. Need to keep coming back more often.

“But yeah, look, from where I was at the start of the week and what I wanted to do, it’s a step in the right direction. You know, if anything, it just whets my appetite even more for Portrush next year.”

McIlroy had come close to forcing a play-off with Hojgaard. The bogey at 17 had left him needing an eagle at the last and he produced two contenders for shot of the week with his drive and 7-iron second shot into 10 feet from the pin. The eagle putt was within a whisker of reaching its target, but this will now go down as another agonising near miss, following on from similar disappointment at this summer’s US Open when he bogeyed three of his last four holes at Pinehurst to let in Bryson DeChambeau for victory.

“Unfortunately I’m getting used to it this year,” he added. “Hopefully the tide is going to turn pretty soon, and I can turn all these close calls into victories.”

McIlroy consolidated his large lead at the top of the DP World Tour order of merit, the Race To Dubai, while Hojgaard will leap from 11th to second heading to Wentworth and is set for a further jump up the world rankings from his current position of 88th.

More importantly, Hojgaard has risen to the top of the Ryder Cup qualification table for the 2025 matches and looks set to join his twin brother Nicolai in securing a top-10 finish on the PGA Tour Eligibility Rankings which will earn them both full playing rights across the Atlantic next year.

“The timing is perfect. You know, I’ve set a couple goals that I want to achieve, and one of them was getting a PGA Tour (card) this year, and the other one is Ryder Cup next year. Yeah, it’s nice to get a step closer.”

Hojgaard also described his emotions watching McIlroy play the 18th as he waited to learn his fate.

“I was shaking in the recording (room). Yeah, it’s a tough one. I obviously expected him to make it. You know, yes, it’s hard to watch… It’s so hard to win, and you know, to do it here, at this event is amazing.

“I can add my name to Soren’s. He’s won here as well. It’s a course that demands a lot from our games, and I’ve played so well all week.”

Shane Lowry was also setting his sights on Wentworth and Thursday’s first round of the DP World Tour’s flagship tournament, which he won two years ago.

Lowry’s hopes of a Sunday showdown with McIlroy faded after a third-round 74 but the 2019 Open champion signed off from Royal County Down with a three-under-par 68 and a share of 12th place at one- under. He will travel to Surrey happy with his game.

“My game feels good. Need to tidy up my iron play. But yeah, my game feels really good. I’m driving the ball really well, and happy with what my putter is doing. So if everything clicks, you never know.”