Rory McIlroy wanted the Irish Open title. He wanted it badly.
Almost too badly.
“I’ve never felt pressure like today,” he admitted after he came through with a furious finish to squash his challengers down the stretch Sunday afternoon at the K-Club.
McIlroy held the lead most of the day then lost it to Russell Knox at the 15th hole but he stepped up when he needed to with a birdie at the par five 16th that provided a two-shot swing when Knox three-putted for bogey. Then at the 18th, McIlroy put an exclamation point on his victory when he hit a five-wood from 253 yards to three feet and tapped in for a closing eagle that provided a final round 69 and a 12-under par total.
It was McIlroy’s first win in his home country and his 13th victory on the European Tour.
“I don’t know if I can put it into words. I don’t really get emotional when I win but I was trying to hold back the tears there on the 18th green,” said McIlroy, who donated his winner’s check to his foundation.
Conditions were testy all day — chilly temperature, rain and when the lead group was teeing off at 15, hail was pelleting the course. It was there that Knox his a hybrid within six feet for his approach, made birdie and wrestled the lead from McIlroy. But after those two straight birdies, McIlroy rose to the challenge. The world’s No. 3 hit the green from 271 yards out with his second and two-putted for the go-ahead birdie when Knox three-putted for bogey.
Knox finished with 68 and tied for second with Bradley Dredge, who closed strong with 66.
