McIlroy denied by Hojgaard in Irish Open thriller

Rory McIlroy was denied a fairytale triumph successful beforehand of his location fans arsenic Rasmus Hojgaard produced a storming decorativeness to triumph nan Irish Open by 1 changeable successful a hugely melodramatic last information astatine Royal County Down.

Overnight leader McIlroy led by 4 shots early successful nan information but dropped shots astatine 15 and 17 proved costly arsenic Hojgaard birdied 4 of nan past 5 holes to sprout 65 and snatch his 5th DP World Tour title.

With Hojgaard having posted a nine-under total, McIlroy needed to eagle nan past spread to unit a play-off but his putt slipped by connected nan correct edge.

Hojgaard, superb connected nan day, surged to nan decorativeness statement pinch nan item of his back-nine 31 a brilliantly holed bunker changeable astatine nan par-four 17th.

While nan 23-year-old - who emulates countryman Soren Kjeldsen's triumph astatine this people successful 2015 - tin observe a superb victory, it is yet different agonising near-miss for McIlroy successful a play wherever he has squandered a aureate chance to triumph nan US Open and seen his Olympic badge hopes gaffe done his grasp.

In a singular finish, McIlroy's dropped changeable astatine 17 coupled pinch Hojgaard's closing birdie meant nan four-time awesome victor needed an improbable eagle to return nan Dane to other holes.

And having boomed a thrust up nan fairway, McIlroy gave himself a chance erstwhile he drilled an fantabulous seven-iron to 10 feet. But his putt agonisingly shaved nan correct separator of nan cup arsenic he was denied nan cleanable extremity to a memorable week connected nan sun-kissed Newcastle links.

It is different awesome consequence successful nan young profession of Hojgaard, though. His identical copy relative Nicolai made nan European Ryder Cup squad past twelvemonth but they could some beryllium successful Luke Donald's squad heading to New York adjacent twelvemonth if he continues to nutrient play of this quality.

Starting nan time 4 backmost of McIlroy, he had to hold until nan 5th for his opening birdie. And while he gave 1 backmost astatine eight, he kick-started his situation pinch 3 birdies successful 4 from nan ninth.

A dropped changeable connected 13 concisely threatened to derail his bid but his birdies connected 14, 16, 17 and 18 allowed him to pip McIlroy successful a gripping duel that went down to nan wire.

This will beryllium different bitter pill to swallow

McIlroy, who vanished his 3rd information pinch an untidy bogey six, sewage moving successful nan correct guidance instantly pinch a birdie astatine nan par-five first, nan easiest spread connected nan course.

He knocked his attack to kick-in region astatine nan 2nd and moved to eight-under, but his momentum stalled thereafter. After a tally of 4 pars, he dropped a changeable astatine nan par-three seventh aft failing to get up-and-down from near of nan green.

A consciousness of vexation grew complete nan adjacent 2 holes, passing up presentable birdie chances connected both. But pinch Brown and Hojgaard keeping nan unit up, Manassero and McIlroy made timely birdies connected nan 11th, pinch McIlroy's moving him 2 clear pinch 7 to play.