Højgaard magic prevents McIlroy Irish Open dream

A marvellous back-to-back birdie finish sealed the win for the Dane at Royal County Down.

The 23-year-old produced a moment of magic on the 17th when he holed out for birdie from a bunker off the green, taking him to -8.

Incredible scenes at Royal County Down... Rasmus Hojgaard has holed out from off the green for the second time today and now he leads by one!
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 15, 2024

Another birdie on the 18th put him at -9 going into the clubhouse, and he was left with a nervous 20 minute wait to see what the current Race to Dubai leader had left in the locker out on the course.

Everything looked to be going right for Rory up during today's final round right up until the 17th green, where he missed an important par putt and made bogey.

That mistake meant that he needed an eagle on the par 5 18th to force a play-off with the clubhouse leader.

After producing the longest drive on that hole all weekend, followed by an incredible approach shot that sent the crowd wild, the Holywood native missed the all-important eagle putt and birdied to finish -8.

Agony for Rory McIlroy.

Rasmus Højgaard wins the Amgen Irish Open 🏆#AmgenIrishOpen pic.twitter.com/eAZtCQmudV

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 15, 2024

Following a turbulent few months in his personal life and the bitter disappointment of narrowly losing the US Open at Pinehurst in June, McIlroy must be beginning to feel that the Gods are against him when it comes to closing out leads on the final day.