Tearful McIlroy Declares Career-Best Irish Open Victory Shots To Help In Next Three Majors.

A very emotional Rory McIlroy ended a six-month winless drought producing two of his career best shots over the closing three holes to capture a first Irish Open title at the K. Club.

McIlroy, also as the tournament host, displayed his enormous class coming from a shot behind Scotland’s Russell Knox in first hitting a 256-yard 3-wood into the 16th hole to set-up birdie and then sending a laser-like 5-wood to within tap-in distance for an eagle at the last to win by three shots with a 12-under par tally.

McIlroy, who had been at the course earlier in the day to play three holes of his third round in the weather affected event, then later went into the closing 18 holes leading by three but after Knox birdied 14 and 15 the four-time Major winner found himself a shot behind.

“The 16th hole was the turning point in the tournament for me, so to birdie that hole and go one ahead of Russell, and then to finish the way I did in hitting that 5-wood into the last, was very pleasing,” said McIlroy.

“To win the Irish Open, to win your National Open you don’t many opportunities to do it.  I knew I needed to take my chance and I am just glad I came up with the right shots at the right time.

“So those shots are right up there as among my career best.  I go back to the 3-wood at Valhalla and I was three behind in the PGA Championship (2012), but the shot on 16 today was much better than that 3-wood.

“But in terms of shots under pressure when I needed to pull something off like that, the two are right up there with the best I’ve hit.”

McIlroy will be present at the nearby Carton House course on Monday to deliver an inspirational talk to the Irish Men’s Hockey Team who have qualified for the Rio Olympics.

He will next tee-up in the June 2nd commencing PGA Tour’s Memorial tournament in Dublin, Ohio and in what will be his last event prior to the June 16th start to the U.S. Open at Oakmont near Pittsburg.

And McIlroy intends to draw on his second shots into the 16th and the last that help set up a 10th European Tour success and a 20th win of his pro career heading into the year’s remaining three Majors.

“This win means so much for my summer ahead and to get my first win of the year is great,” he said.

“I kept telling myself, and anyone that would listen, my game was close and it was a matter of everything clicking.

“So maybe those last three holes today, and the second shots I hit into 16 and the last, will be the catalyst for another great summer going into the remaining three Majors, the Olympics, the FedEx Cup and then later this year the Ryder Cup and holding onto my Race to Dubai title”

World No. 3 Rory McIlroy ends a six month winless drought to capture a first Irish Open. (Photo - European Tour)

World No. 3 Rory McIlroy ends a six month winless drought to capture a first Irish Open. (Photo – European Tour)

McIlroy earned a first prize cheque of Euro 666,660 to move into second place behind Masters Champion Danny Willett and also into second behind the Englishman on the European Ryder Cup points table.

Willett had led after day one and was sharing the lead at the end of day two but over the third and fourth rounds produced a run of 24 pars.

However, it all turned pear-shaped for Willett who posted three bogeys and a 70th hole double bogey in a round of 77 to slip to share of 23rd place at one under par.

Knox, who had to borrow a driver over the last three days after cracking the face of the driver he had used to win late last year in Shanghai, was later full of praise for McIlroy.

“It was disappointing for me to bogey 16 but the way Rory played those shots into 16 and the last he really deserved to win,” said Knox.

“He won the tournament, and I didn’t lose it.

“But then the good thing for me is that I will have a new driver next week and also Rory’s not playing at Wentworth (smiling).”

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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