DP World Tour leaderboard: Rory McIlroy endures nightmare finish at Irish Open

Rory McIlroy snatched defeat from the jaws of victory once again in 2024 with a nightmare finish to the Amgen Irish Open. 

McIlroy, who admitted he perhaps tries too hard in front of his home fans earlier in the week, was looking as though he was going to win the tournament for the second time in his career at Royal County Down.

He forged a one-shot lead after 54 holes and was out in front until Rasmus Hojgaard tore round the back nine. 

Hojgaard birdied four of his final five holes to card a 6-under 65 and set the clubhouse lead of 9-under. 

McIlroy came unstuck at the par-4 15th, making a sloppy bogey after missing the green right and failing to get up-and-down for par. 

He bounced back with a birdie at the next but three-putted the 17th to drop two back with two holes left. 

McIlroy set up a glorious opportunity to force a playoff on the 72nd hole, finding the par-5 in two sumptuous strikes. 

But the 15-foot eagle putt didn't threaten the hole, handing victory to Hojgaard. 

The defeat will no doubt be difficult for McIlroy to take given the thousands of Irish fans that were supporting him in his home county this week. 

Perhaps it may rival his U.S. Open heartbreak. 

In June, McIlroy made three bogeys in his final four holes to blow the chance to end his 10-year wait for a fifth major and allow Bryson DeChambeau to snatch the major. 

He followed that with a missed cut at the final men's major of the year at Royal Troon. 

McIlroy later revealed he plans to drastically reduce his playing schedule in 2025. 

As for Hojgaard, the 23-year-old has now won five DP World Tour titles. 

Previous event:

An emotional Matt Wallace captured his fifth DP World Tour title and first in six years with playoff victory over Alfredo Garcia-Heredia at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.

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