I thought it would be a great homecoming, obviously with the Green Jacket on and everything, but it was something incredible, beyond all expectations. I'm so happy to have played like that in front of them and to have won. With these words at the K Club in Straffan, Rory McIlroy looks back on the four days that led to his return to winning the Amgen Irish Open.
The triumph (because that's what it is) came thanks to an eagle from eight meters on the 18th hole and a thrilling playoff with Joakim Lagergren.
Rory McIlroy, statements
The five-time Major champion, who had won the Masters in April, completing his career grand slam, returned to winning ways in Europe and once again showed his class. On the 72nd hole, he holed a putt from over eight meters for an eagle, closing at 17 points and drawing level with Lagergren at the top. It was the shot that erupted in the crowd and paved the way for the playoff.
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On the first extra hole, both men came close to eagle again, settling for birdie. On the second, McIlroy nearly hit the water with his approach, but again saved birdie. The third hole proved decisive: Lagergren ended up in the water hazard, and Rory, with two putts, sealed the deal, repeating the success he had achieved in the same tournament and on the same course in 2016.
The Swede had to settle for second place after an excellent 66-shot round. Rafa Cabrera Bello and Angel Hidalgo shared third place at 15 points, with the Spaniard scoring an extraordinary hole-in-one on the par-3 third. Two shots further back, in fifth place, were young Angel Ayora and Frenchman Adrian Saddier. The 2025 Italian Open winner was leading after moving day.
McIlroy started with a bogey on the first hole, his first after 38 error-free holes. But he quickly responded with a birdie from over 35 feet on the second hole and a last-ditch save on par on the third. Then a birdie on the fourth, a 45-foot putt on the fifth, and another birdie on the ninth brought him back into contention, 14 points behind, among a small group of five players at the top of the halfway point.
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In the finale, when Lagergren made a spectacular eagle on the 16th and seemed poised for victory, Rory once again found the strength and shot of a champion: the eagle on the 18th opened the game, giving the crowd the sprint they had dreamed of.
Rory McIlroy: "An unforgettable year"
For McIlroy, 2025 is already a year to remember: "Doing what I did at the start of the season and then also winning the Open in Northern Ireland means that, regardless of how the rest goes, this will be one of the best years of my career. I love coming home, I love playing in this atmosphere: moments like this stay with you forever."
Now the Northern Irishman with his twentieth career win on the DP World Tour is looking ahead: next week he will be at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, before the 2025 Ryder Cup, where he aims to be in top form: "I'm happy with my game, I feel good, and I'm excited for what's to come."
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Lowry and solidarity
Among the Amgen ambassadors, Shane Lowry was the only one to make the cut. With three birdies in his final 71, he contributed another 1,500 to the Make a Wish Ireland charity. Overall, the Irish Open raised over 10,500 for the charity through the Birdies for Wishes campaign, thanks to birdies and eagles on the 18th.
