Where elation met agony – it’s safe to say the Amgen Irish Open was full of drama. It was a home tournament for the crowd favourite Rory Mcllroy, but after blowing a four-shot lead and missing a 10-foot eagle putt for a play-off – the Six Million Euro purse went to Rasmus Hojgaard and it was more heartache for the world No.3.
Let’s start at the beginning and take a closer look at the tournament day by day, as well as some pinnacle moments at the event.
Tournament breakdown
A tournament that began with quite windy and overcast conditions at Royal County Down, it was Englishman Todd Clements that stormed out in front of the big names in the first round. Todd posted an impressive score of 66, taking the lead at -5 with Rory McIlroy not far off the pace with a solid 68, putting him at joint fourth at -3.
Things were slightly more challenging on the first day for the eventual winner, Rasmus Hojgaard who began the weekend with an underwhelming 71, finding himself down the leaderboard with a lot of work to do. However, this was quickly rectified during the Dane’s second round as he left himself three shots off the lead.
Italy’s Matteo Manassero led the field at the halfway stage, after two rounds, Manaserro had positioned himself nicely atop the leaderboard at -6 after a mixed opening round of 70, he followed up with a fine round of 66.
The windy conditions were making life extremely tough for all of the field, and even those who were amongst the leaders were still struggling to get to grips with the conditions, with bogey-ridden rounds being a theme of the weekend for many golfers.
By the end of the third round, McIlroy had begun to find his footing. With another solid score of 68 - a round which began with an eagle at the first and a sensational 20-foot putt for birdie on the 13th, he took the overnight lead.
Day Four
Heading into Sunday, despite only the one-shot lead, the tournament very much seemed as if it was McIlroy’s to lose.
This continued to be the case, and by the halfway point of the back nine McIlroy was still going steady, extending his lead to two shots with Hojgaard struggling to make progress. But after a rather tame front nine, Hojgaard injected some momentum into the back nine and was able to impressively birdie four of the last 5 holes, taking the Dane to -9 for the weekend and giving him the lead.
The 18th is a 548-yard par 5 and Rory needed an eagle to tie at -9. After a monster 357-yard drive, followed by a beautiful approach shot, McIlroy had a 10 foot putt for eagle which meant a playoff.
However, it was heartbreak again for McIlroy who was unable to force the playoff, as he watched his putt edge past the right-hand side of the hole leaving him at -8 - one shot shy of Hojgaar.
A big congratulations to Rasmus Hojgaard, who achieved a superb win through some excellent golf - especially on the final day. Onwards and upwards for Rory!
