More down the stretch frustration for Rory McIlroy as Hojgaard seals Irish Open win

Dane applied pressure with a closing birdie for a winning 65 as McIlroy three-putted 17 for a damaging bogey

SO CLOSE: Rory McIlroy reacts after missing an eagle chance to force a play off on the 18th at the Amgen Iris Open.

A three-putt at the penultimate hole proved Rory McIlroy’s undoing at Royal County Down as Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard claimed the 2024 Amgen Irish Open title on Sunday.

It was the 23-year-old Dane’s fifth DP World Tour victory, his first of 2024 and was thoroughly deserved following a final-round 65, six under par, to reach nine under for the tournament but this was an event McIlroy will be kicking himself that he was unable to stay the course having lead by a stroke going into the final round.