Far from being a killjoy or a fun spoiler, Rasmus Højgaard adamantly stayed in his prime as he crafted his final round of 65 – topped off with a triumvirate of birdies – for a 72-holes cumulative nine-under-par 275. This score ultimately facilitated his quiet purloining of the Amgen Irish Open title from Rory McIlroy’s clutches who once again met disappointment in a season laden with near victories and despair.
His round saw Højgaard score eight birdies, with two of them unbelievably chipping in. The unexpected birdie came first from the rough on the par 3 10th hole where, focussed primarily on averting par, a birdie was the last thing he anticipated. Then again on the 17th, from a bunker by the greenside where the crowd densely gathered on the sand dunes, awaiting McIlroy’s supposed crowning. However, fate and the divine powers of golf proclaimed Højgaard the champion, not McIlroy, in a course where previously in 2015, another Dane, Søren Kjeldsen, had been triumphant.
Reflecting on his audacious chip-in on the 10th, Højgaard uttered, “I was expecting to get it within five feet and be content with that, then manage to save three strokes. But the flag got in the way and the ball landed in the hole. That was one of the fortuitous rebounds I had today.”
Højgaard achieves closing hat-trick of birdies to snatch Irish Open from McIlroy’s control
In his upcoming tournaments, Lowry will face the challenging BMW PGA, Spanish Open, and Dunhill Links that are going to test him both physically and mentally
Rory McIlroy’s dreams of clinching the Irish Open were shattered as Rasmus Højgaard triumphed at Royal County Down
Irish Open witnessed Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard emerging victorious after a heart-rending defeat for Rory McIlroy
Entering the final round alone as the leader, McIlroy fortified his position with each successive step. Birdies on the first and the second hole helped him extend his lead over the competitors by four shots by the time he left the fourth green. It appeared as though the trophy was within an arm’s reach.
At Royal County Down, certainty is an elusive concept. Every slip up, every judgment miscalculation, is harshly penalised. This was something McIlroy learnt all too well. Upon missing his tee shot at the seventh par 3, he found himself on the wrong side of the green and was prevented from getting back on track. Failure followed him on the eighth hole where his birdie putt didn’t quite make the mark. A similar scenario unfolded at the ninth hole where another birdie putt did not convert. Yet, McIlroy stayed calm, at least for now.
A defining moment came when McIlroy sunk a 20-foot birdie on the 11th, landing him two strokes ahead of Matteo Manassero, Daniel Brown and Højgaard. He could monitor Manassero, but the others were beyond his immediacy. Eventually, the triumphant roars echoing Højgaard’s successful bunker shot on the 17th hinted at possible danger.
Højgaard’s triumphant finish on the course held promises of a clubhouse leadership, but McIlroy’s future was still his to write. Until it wasn’t. His initial shot on the 15th made land but slipped off course, culminating in another bogey. Further disappointment met him at the 17th when he misgauged a 25-foot putt. McIlroy’s back and forth with the flag ended with him missing a seemingly easy return putt.
Reminiscing about the day, McIlroy reflected, “I had command of the tournament for the majority of the day…I stuck to the plan, I played steadily, I scored the occasional birdie. But then, those two bogeys on the 15th and 17th left room for someone like Rasmus to have an outstanding finish on the last few holes…unfortunately despite my strong performance this week, I misjudged the speed of the initial putt on the 17th.”
The crowd’s collective sentiment echoed what McIlroy was feeling. And he felt it deeply.
Being fully aware of the imperative actions needed at the 18th tee, I realised my task – not to launch the driver, which would put the three bunkers at risk. However, securing an eagle was my intent, and for that I had to carefully navigate through the bunkers. Precisely that, I did, complemented by a 7-iron approach, covering a distance of 191 yards just within 10 feet. I reckon these were some of the finest strikes of the week.
While taking my shot, I was aware of the stakes, only accentuated by the enveloping silence. I was convinced that my putting had been at the right pace to allow a downward slope, although it faltered midway. Possibly the lateral wind was to blame, McIlroy mused. This resulted in the eagle putt not making the mark, which was followed by a birdie tap-in netting him a round of 68. Consequently, he was a shot ahead of Manassero, while trailing Højgaard by a shot.
A dejected McIlroy remarked on Højgaard’s struggle to secure victory at home. He empathized with him stating how invaluable the win would have been for him. Conversely, Højgaard expressed his elation at the victory.
Højgaard’s triumph also secured his place among the probable recipients of the 10 PGA Tour cards available this season off the DP World Tour. He said, “This was one of my prime objectives this year. It’s a thrilling prospect to compete in America alongside my sibling, Nicolai. This achievement has certainly eased our lives. Despite last year’s tough run, it invigorated my determination.”