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.

HOMECOMING: Rory McIlroy makes his way to the 18th green. Picture: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Party pooper Hojgaard as Rory puts brave face on another near miss

RORY MCILROY was left to rue two back-nine bogeys that handed Amgen Irish Open victory to Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard at Royal County Down on Sunday. But the world number three insisted his homecoming experience had whetted his appetite for next year’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush.