Rory McIlroy Celebrates an Exceptional Year with his Second Irish Open Title
Rory McIlroy enjoyed “a pretty great year” after adding his second Irish Open title to his Masters victory. The world number 2 completed the career Grand Slam with his victory in Augusta in April, and added to that the victory in his national open for the second time, after an exciting victory in the tiebreaker over Joakim Lagergren. McIlroy had to eagle the 72nd hole to force a playoff, after Lagergren achieved an impressive eagle on the 16th hole. After the first two playoff holes ended tied with birdie fours, Lagergren found the water hazard on the third occasion, allowing McIlroy to win with two putts.McIlroy, who also triumphed in this event at the same venue in 2016, added: “I had a putt last year at Royal County Down to force a playoff with Rasmus Højgaard and it just missed on the high side, so I felt like [the eagle on the 18th hole] was a bit of redemption. “I wanted to be aggressive with him, a really cool feeling, a great moment for him to come in, and that gave me a chance in the tiebreak. “I felt it was a matter of 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 declared: “Doing what I did earlier in the year and then going back home and winning my national Open, no matter what happens the rest of the year, that’s a pretty cool 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 obviously everyone is looking forward to the Ryder Cup.” McIlroy and Lagergren were tied in a quintet at the top with 14 under par when the final group came home on Sunday. Ángel Hidalgo, second after the impressive 63 on Saturday, finished tied for third place at 15 under par with Rafa Cabrera Bello, who ignited 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 been able to play the way I did this week and get the victory.
Rory McIlroy
