Rory Mcilroy did not need To win Irish Open on Sunday. He didn’t need to Ryder Cup Momtum or resume of his career. Profit would be fine, of course, he said a few days ago. But not a necessity. He was more focused on getting in the quarrel, playing under pressure and making sure he was sharp for a significant future stretch.
Of course, you can trust them all. And maybe he does. But Logic tells you his victory on Play off Sunday in K Club meant much more than that.
Just ask the fiery crowd of the house that Mcilroy watched to win his open national team.
“I feel so lucky to have to do this, how much I have to do this in front of these people,” Mcilroy said on Sunday, as he won his second open Irish in a play off. “Support has been absolutely amazing all week. I thought it would be a beautiful return of return, no doubt returning home with a green jacket and everything, but it has been absolutely extraordinary. This has surpassed all my exceptions and I am so happy to play and play as I did this week for everyone.”
Mcilroy dismissed 33-year-old Swedish pro-Joakim Lagergren on Sunday of the Third Play off, winning with a bird in par-5 18 after Lagergren failed to match, an anticlimactic conclusion after Mcilroy placed the gallery in a rage after he drained a Putt Long Eagle to Streng Play-off.
Was Mcilroy’s first victory after he claimed masters and Completed the Grand Slam career in Apriland booked a strange extension that occurs in the middle.
Mcilroy was without winning during the summer, had an unusual stretch of media silence and said that eventually fulfilling that eternal dream to win masters made it difficult to work regaining his form and finding motivation. This is not to say that he was not trying to win golf tours or stop care, but elite athletes need goals and are known to continue postpone goals. Scottie Scheffler spoke about the occupation of that obstacle this season too; How can only the top of the victory last before you come back looking for the next thing.
Although a powerful part of motivation is coming home. Mcilroy, who grew up in northern Ireland, deeply cares for Irish Open, a tour that he first won in 2016 in the same place. His galleries were larger all week, and he was a clear favorite Play -offit, which included loud cheers when he lancegpened hit his second shooting in the water in the third Play off hole.
“Maybe there are very few players who get the support I get when I go home,” Mcilroy said. “This is absolutely extraordinary. I do not take it for granted. I feel very grateful and lucky to do so. I cannot expect to celebrate tonight.”
Mcilroy began the 11th under and four shots from the superiority held by Adrien Saddier, but after two fewer rounds of Bogey on Friday and Saturday, Mcilroy opened the last round with a Bogey 5 in the first.
But he Zogu three of the other four, and his bird at 9 took it on 14 under and in a four -way tie for superiority. He lost good bird glances at 10 and 11 before frying one in 13, a kick that fastened all the way and turned back to the front, stopped for a second, and then fell for a solo lead.
Lagergren, who shot 62 on Friday, took the lead from Mcilroy with an eagle at 16, and after that Zogu par-5 18 he maintained the club’s lead on 17 under.
Mcilroy could only manage pars at no. 14-17, and he reached the 18th Eagle that needed to force a play off. He found the right road and then fired an 8-Herkuri from 201 yards to about 20 meters less from the hole. He was frustrated by the result, but he had a chance to connect. A year ago, he was the contestant in this tournament, and he lost an even shorter blow that would force a play-off with the eventual winner Rasmus Højgaard.
This time, he did not lose it.
Mcilroy drained his butter with a lot of steam left over it, bursting the crowd and forcing the bonus golf.
At Play off, returning to Tee for Par-5 18, both players found the green in two and with two long-distance blows for Birdie. “RORY! RORY! RORY!” The calls returned as they walked from the green and jumped in carriages to take them back to 18, and they tied up with birds again.
Playing par-5 18 for the third time, Lagergren had the advantage when Mcilroy inserted it into the harsh. But Lagergren overthrew him when he withdrew his access to the water. Mcilroy struck his second in the front green and with two putte for birds. Lagergren had to enter the squad to force a fourth Play off hole, but it could not be converted.
“To do what I did at the beginning of the year and get home and win my Open National, no matter what happens the rest of the year, this is a very delightful year,” Mcilroy said, seconds after he won with fans who still cheered nearby. “2025 will come down as one of the best, if not the best, in my career.”
Those who look close to would agree.
