Rasmus Højgaard birdied his last three holes to win the Irish Open with a final round 65, missing Rory McIlroy a title in front of his fans at Royal County Down.

McIlroy had a two-shot lead going into the final nine holes, but Hojgaard made a late comeback to win for the fifth time on the European Tour and cost McIlroy a win on home soil.

“Unfortunately, I'm starting to get used to it this year,” McCloy said. “I hope the tide turns soon and I can turn all these misses into wins. »

McIlroy made two bogeys in the final four holes, which allowed Hojgaard, who played two groups ahead of him, to take the win in style.

Hojgaard entered the final round three strokes behind McIlroy and finished the tournament with a cumulative score of minus-9.

“I had a number to hit today and it was minus-8. Obviously, coming in and finishing at minus-9 is gold,” he said.

It was another tough finish for McIlroy, who has won three times this year but missed two short putts in the last three holes at Pinehurst No. 2 to lose the U.S. Open and derail his final attempt at the Games Olympics with a wedge shot. It went into the water.

This time everything changed on the 17th. Højgaard was back at the gate and facing a 25-foot putt at the 17th, McIlroy was one shot ahead. But McIlroy missed his birdie attempt ten yards from the hole and missed the putt for par to find himself two shots behind.

McIlroy gave himself an eagle chance to force overtime at the 18th, but his effort was underpowered.

Raised in Hollywood, an hour's drive north, McCloy was trying to settle into his hometown as a professional for the first time.