Tournament host Rory McIlroy brilliantly eagled the last to end a six-month winless drought capturing the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at the K. Club.
McIlroy went into the final round of the weather-affected event leading by four shots, and while one behind with three holes to play, the current World No. 3 rallied to shoot a closing 69 and win by three shots with a 12-under par total.
The win is McIlroy’s first as a professional on Irish soil but also a first taste of success since capturing last November’s European Tour season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai
World No. 3 Rory McIlroy ends a six month winless drought to capture a first Irish Open. (Photo – European Tour)
Scotland’s Russell Knox, using a borrowed driver, looked set to deny McIlroy in moving one shot clear of field with back-to-back birdies at 14 and 15.
However, the 30-year old Florida-based golfer three-putted the 16th for bogey ahead of pair of closing pars in a score of a four under par 68 to share second place at nine under par with Welshman Bradley Dredge who shot a 66.
Germany’s Martin Kaymer produced the lowest score on the final of a seven under par 65 to share fifth place at seven under par.
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