Rory McIlroy (-8) added another painful defeat to his career this Sunday. It wasn’t the US Open at Pinehurst, far from it, but it does sting. Because it was at his home, Northern Ireland, because he dominated the round from start to finish until the last four holes and because it can’t really be said that he lost it, but rather that Rasmus Hojgaard (-9) stole it from him with a stratospheric finish where he hit extraordinary shots and also had his bit of luck. Golf continues to be cruel to the man from Holywood.
Indeed, the Amgen Irish Open was decided in the last four holes of the exceptional Royal County Down. Today the conditions were much better than yesterday, less wind, but that doesn’t mean the course is easy. The only thing is that it gives you more margin to make birdies, but tragedies lurk around every corner. McIlroy had the tournament under control. He played with intelligence, accuracy and even sufficiency. He started with two birdies, marking territory, making it clear that he wasn’t going to allow uprisings. From there, order and concert, without risking more than necessary. He made a bogey on the 7th and let two very clear birdie opportunities slip away on the 8th and 9th. With the benefit of hindsight, we could say that’s where he lost the tournament, in that difference of one, two or even three strokes, but it never really seemed like the victory was in danger…
Never, until the sublime irruption of Rasmus Hojgaard. The Dane had already hinted at something on the 10th hole, par 3, when he holed a birdie approach from a very delicate position. The ball was well placed, but in the rough, with the green receiving downhill. Leaving a par putt of about three meters was already a success. And that’s where his ball was heading until it hit the flagstick and fell towards the hole. Two strokes less in one go. Despite everything, he was still three strokes behind Rory. That, although it wasn’t known at the time, was a warning.
From that moment on, his score was four under par. He made a textbook birdie on the 12th, another very good one on the 14th and three in a row on the 16th, 17th and 18th holes to leave Rory almost without response, and breathless. There is no but to put in the 16th and 18th holes, but the birdie on the 17th has allied with lady luck. His second shot went out of control and his destination was long of green, who knows if even to the bushes. It was going very strong. However, he found the bunker. The shot out was not easy, again receiving downhill and with the flag rather short, but he did it again. The ball came out in line to the flag, lively, it passed its two meters and a bit, but it hit the flagstick and fell straight into the hole. Stroke of luck.
Rory played the last four holes knowing that Rasmus had already climbed on his back. Matteo Manassero (-7) is the one who has been closest to McIlroy all day, but he didn’t find the necessary gear change and finished third alone. Few complaints to make. McIlroy was irregular in that final stretch. Very Rorylandia. He made two bogeys on the 15th and 17th with two good drives, from perfect positions. On the 15th he missed the second shot and didn’t make the recovery and on the 17th he signed a three-putt that wasn’t on any roadmap. He overdid it with the birdie and missed the return. Then, great birdie on the 16th, impeccable, and a sensational 18th hole, great drive, supreme second shot and eagle putt to tie that grazed the hole by the high edge… Again, at the gates of victory.
Rasmus makes a loud statement with this victory. That statement he had been looking for for a long time. He beats McIlroy in the head-to-head and at his home, on a Major stage like Royal County Down, virtually secures the PGA Tour card for next year through the Race to Dubai and presents his candidacy for the Ryder Cup. At Bethpage let someone else take the buggy.
As for the Spaniards, costly final double bogey for Adrián Otaegui (PAR). The San Sebastian player falls out of the top 10 after missing the drive on the 18th and being forced to drop with penalty. He finishes tied in 17th place with Nacho Elvira, who signed a good card of 70 strokes to finish. Alex del Rey (+3) couldn’t make up ground and finished with 74 strokes and Santi Tarrio (+7) said goodbye with a card of 72 strokes.
