skip to main content

Irish Open glory for Rory McIlroy after play-off drama

Updated / Sunday, 7 Sep 2025 21:52
Rory McIlroy celebrates victory at the K Club
Rory McIlroy celebrates victory at the K Club

A sensational final round from Rory McIlroy, including an eagle at the last to force a play-off with Sweden's Joakim Lagergren, saw the world number two claim a dramatic Amgen Irish Open at the K Club.

The Holywood native’s sole Irish Open success came at the Kildare venue in 2016 when a birdie-par-eagle finish saw him top the standings, but things proved even more climactic this time around.

On a day of high drama, McIlroy prevailed in the third play-off hole to claim his first victory since the history-making Masters.

Both players enjoyed birdies in the opening two play-off holes - a sudden-death format at the 18th - before Lagergren found water with his approach to hand the advantage to the grand slam champion.

McIlroy coolly rolled his eagle attempt to within a foot of the hole as the Swede was unable to chip in his drop shot off the green to cap one of the most memorable days in the tournament's history.

"The support of the crowd out there and playing in that atmosphere, especially coming down those last few holes knowing what I needed to do, the crowd spurred me on," he told RTÉ Sport's Dave Kelly

"It’s an incredible day. That eagle putt on the 18 to get into the play-off will probably go down as one of the coolest moments in my career."

With the vociferous crowd willing the local hero to glory, McIlroy was asked if he is fully comfortable with the weight of that responsibility.

"It has taken me a while to get to this place, where I do embrace it and enjoy it," he said. "After the year I have had, and the career I have had, to be able to come home in front of these crowds and feel the love, and show them my appreciation for their support over the years, I love it."

The foundation for victory was built on a brilliant display on the front nine.

A bogey at the first was followed by three birdies in the next four holes including a monster 42 foot-putt at the fifth - saw him move into a five-way share of the lead alongside Rafa Cabrera Bello, Joakim Lagergren of Sweden, overnight leader Adrien Saddier and Spain’s Angel Hidalgo.

An incredible putt at the 13th – the ball lipped around the cup and appeared to slip out before falling back in the hole – pushed McIlroy into the outright lead at 15-under, but Lagergren dug deep at the par-5 16th as exquisite iron play saw the Swede leapfrog McIlroy with a timely eagle.

Four successive pars from the Irishman, combined with Lagergren’s birdie at the last titled the scales in the Swede's favour, giving him a two-shot cushion as McIlroy teed up at the 542-yard par-5 18th.

After safely finding the fairway, his approach shot landed within 27 feet of the flag as the supporters fanned around the hole. The 36-year-old displayed nerves of steel to drain the pressure putt and force the play-off.

The pair moved back down the fairway for the first play-off hole, with McIlroy going close to repeating the eagle trick as those assembled were treated to matchplay golf of the highest order.

With the tension palpable, McIlroy's heavy contact on his approach shot at the second play-off hole opened the door slightly for Lagergren. The gallery however were on their feet when McIlroy's lengthy putt edged past the cup as both players again carded birdies under the most intense pressure to extend the theatre.

It was Lagergren who finally blinked first, sending his approach into the water as McIlroy was the toast of the home crowd.

Rory McIlroy

Elsewhere a birdie at the last saw Shane Lowry sign for a one-under 71.

The 2019 Open champion lamented his putting on Saturday that saw him fall well out of contention. A bogey at the start was not what he wanted, but a couple of birdies before the turn allowed Lowry make some headway in testing conditions.

His approach at the par-5 17th found water, but that bogey was cancelled out by a birdie at the last.

"I played nicely today," he told RTÉ Sport. "The weather was a bit miserable for a while, the golf course played long.

"It was hard, it was a grind for the most part. It could have been a few better, but that's been the way it has been this week."

Lowry heads for Wentworth next week as his final outing before pitching up at New York for a third Ryder Cup. The 38-year-old is confident his game is in a good place as Luke Donald's side look to defend their title on American soil.

"It’s all about building towards that," he said. "I feel I am in a nice place. The next two weeks are important, but I feel I will be ready to go at Bethpage."

A strong showing on the back nine saw Tom McKibbin post a 69 to finish on six-under par.

Tom McKibbin
Sunday proved to be Tom McKibbin's most fruitful Irish Open round for birdies

The 22-year-old was one-under at the turn, but some fine work with the putter saw him reel off birdies at 10, 13 and 14. The tricky 17th again proved to be a foe, finding water off the tee en route to a double bogey before finishing with a birdie at the last.

"A little bit frustrating," he said when asked to reflect on the tournament overall. "I feel I played better at the weekend than I did over the first two days, but I didn't score as good. It’s annoying, but there are some positive signs and something to build on."

A second successive one-over 73 ensured Alex Maguire - pictured below - finished one-over for the tournament.

Alex Maguire

"Horrendous" was how he described his work off the tee on Saturday, and the final round saw some similar difficulties with five bogeys and a double bogey, finding water on three occasions.

A birdie at the last – a feat he managed in all four rounds – was a positive sign-off for the 22-year-old.

More stories on

Read Next