‘I’m Getting Used to It This Year’: Rory McIlroy Sees Another Lead Vanish at Irish Open

The stakes weren’t as high as they were at the U.S. Open, but another national open championship slipped through Rory McIlroy’s hands in what is turning out to be a rough 2024 for the Northern Irishman.

McIlroy had a two-shot lead on the back nine in the final round of the DP World Tour’s Irish Open on Sunday. But he watched his lead evaporate as 23-year-old Rasmus Hojgaard birdied his final three holes to take the lead.

Rasmus Højgaard! 🇩🇰

He joins the lead in style.#AmgenIrishOpen pic.twitter.com/HS9Zd8sI3o

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 15, 2024

At the U.S. Open, McIlroy was finished first and watched Bryson DeChambeau overtake him. This time, McIlroy was behind his challenger.

In the clubhouse with a 6-under 65, Hojgaard watched as McIlroy was unable to make a charge. After bogeying Nos. 15 and 17, McIlroy had a chance to tie with a birdie putt on No. 18, but it stayed to the right.

There have been some heartbreaking near misses for Rory McIlroy in recent Opens. The 22 Open at St Andrews, 24 US Open – Pinehurst & now his National Open at RCD. For an icon he’s suffered some excruciating losses. It’s like G.Norman in his prime. pic.twitter.com/j0G06KBc17

— Luke Elvy (@Luke_Elvy) September 15, 2024

Hojgaard was happy with his triumph over McIlroy:

“It’s a big confidence boost. I knew it was going to be hard to battle with him and the rest of the guys out there. It was tight all the way down to the last putt. So yeah, it’s a great boost for me for the rest of the year.”

McIlroy, on the other hand, was not as enthusiastic:

“Unfortunately, I’m getting used to it this year. Hopefully, the tide is going to turn pretty soon, and I can turn all these close calls into victories.”

McIlroy has two wins this season – one at the Wells Fargo Championship and another at the DPWT’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic. He’ll be competing in the BMW PGA Championship this week and likely at the DP World Tour Championship this fall in Dubai. McIlroy announced that he will likely play in fewer events starting next year.

Cover Image via PGA TOUR