Rory McIlroy Wins at the Irish Open
Rory McIlroy celebrated a “pretty great year” after adding a second Irish Open title to his Masters victory. The world number 2 completed the career Grand Slam with his triumph in Augusta in April, and extended it by winning his national open for the second time, thanks to a thrilling playoff victory against Joakim Lagergren. McIlroy needed an eagle on the 72nd hole just to force a playoff, after Lagergren’s impressive eagle on the 16th hole. After the first two extra holes ended tied in birdies, Lagergren found the water hazard on the third attempt, allowing McIlroy to win with two putts.McIlroy, who also triumphed at this event in the same place in 2016, added: “I had a putt last year at Royal County Down to force a playoff with Rasmus Højgaard and it just narrowly missed, so I felt like [the eagle on the 18th hole] was a bit of redemption.” “I wanted to be aggressive with him, such a great feeling, a great moment to enter, and that gave me a chance in the tiebreaker.” “I just felt like I was the one who would blink first. Joakim made a bad second shot on that playoff hole and that opened the door for me, and I’m very happy to win my second Irish Open.” With the Ryder Cup coming to Bethpage later this month, McIlroy commented: “Doing what I did earlier in the year and then coming home and winning my national Open, no matter what happens the rest of the year, that’s a pretty great year, 2025 is going to be one of the best, if not the best, of my career.” “But we’re not done yet, I have a big week next week at Wentworth [the BMW PGA Championship] and then, obviously, everyone is waiting for the Ryder Cup.” McIlroy and Lagergren were tied for first place at 14 under par when the final group faced the final round on Sunday. Ángel Hidalgo, second after the impressive 63 on Saturday, finished tied for third place with 15 under par along with Rafa Cabrera Bello, who boosted his challenge with a hole-in-one on the third. A third Spaniard, Ángel Ayora, was fifth alongside the leader of the third round, Adrien Saddier.I feel very fortunate to be able to do this in front of these people. The support has been incredible all week. I am very happy to have played the way I did this week and to get the victory.
Rory McIlroy
