Rasmus Højgaard was two out as he pipped local favorite Rory McIlroy to win the Irish Open at Royal County Down.
McIlroy was looking to win his first title on home soil when he took a two-shot lead on four holes to play just an hour from where he grew up.
However Højgaard had other ideas, as he completed an impressive closing 65 with four birdies in the final five holes.
McIlroy had a one-shot lead going into the final round and made a good start with birdies on the first and second. Playing with partner Matteo Manassero then dropping shots at the third and fourth, McIlroy briefly enjoyed a four-way lead before making bogey at the seventh after failing to get up and down from the left of the green.
He then missed to within ten feet with birdies on both the eighth and ninth as Højgaard began his challenge by birdieing the tenth.
A birdie on the 11th edged McIlroy two ahead again, but that advantage was wiped out as Højgaard birdied 16 and McIlroy was 15.
EXPENSIVE CHIP-INS & BOGEYS
Højgaard then surprisingly holed out from under the green on the 17th and, although McIlroy birdied 16, the four-time Major winner charged his 17th birdie past the hole and missed the return.
Højgaard’s third consecutive birdie at 18 meant McIlroy needed to make an eagle on the same hole to force a playoff and a lofted approach from 191 yards gave him a chance from 15 feet, only for the eagle putt to slide wide.
Højgaard, who won the European title for the fifth time, said: “It’s huge. It’s one of those tournaments that you want to put your name on, so it’s great.
“I was trying to get to 8-under and see if that would have a chance. I sat patiently there, but I knew I had to get the gold after nine. I chipped in on 10, and it lifted my game a little bit.
” And, at 17, it was a bad shot and I was a little worried that it might have been connected to the basement. But I was lucky enough to find a good lie and I was very confident that I could get it up and down, so closing it was a crucial moment.
“The time to win is perfect. I set a few goals for myself, and one of them was to get a PGA Tour card this year, and another one was the Ryder Cup next year. It’s good to be close to both.
GOOD TAKE
McIlroy, who missed out on a second Irish Open win, said: “I felt like I was in control for most of the day. I played hard, I did what I needed to do, I made a lot of pars, I made the odd birdie. Then two bogeys on 15 and 17 opened the door for someone to finish as well as Rasmus did there on the last few holes.”
“I played well this week, but missing the green on 15 is the only place you’re going to go. And I just misjudged the speed by entering 17. Obviously I’m disappointed that I didn’t win, but I’ll try to take the positives and move on to Wentworth next week.”
That roar from the crowd when I hit that second shot on 18 was pretty cool. I had a great time at home. It’s been too long. I need to keep coming back more often, but it certainly makes me look forward to eating Portrush next year.”
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