An emotional Rory McIlroy produced a sensational finish to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and win the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open for the first time at The K Club.
McIlroy had seen his three-shot lead become a one-shot deficit with three holes to play as Scotland’s Russell Knox carded four birdies and an eagle in a final round interrupted twice by hailstorms and torrential rain.
But the world No 3 then birdied the par-five 16th as Knox three-putted and, after lipping out for birdie on the 17th, fired a stunning approach from 252 yards to within three feet of the hole on the 18th for a closing eagle.
253 yards.
The shot of a champion. https://t.co/7EpcJKAbWH
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 22, 2016
The resulting 69 meant McIlroy finished three shots clear of Knox and Wales’ Bradley Dredge to claim the first prize of £515,000, which he will donate to his own foundation which hosted the tournament for the second year.
Dredge surged through the field with a 66 to secure the biggest pay-day of his career, with Knox returning a 68.
“I don’t know if I can put it into words,” said McIlroy, who started the week annoyed at “negative spin” on his failure to win so far this season.
“I don’t really get emotional when I win but I was trying to hold back the tears on the 18th green, looking up and seeing all my friends and family.
“I don’t get the chance to play in front of them very often so to play like that and to finish like that today, I will never forget it. I’d put winning your national open up there with winning a WGC, just below the majors.
“I was trying to stay as patient as I could but it’s quite hard when you have 30,000 people roaring you on. The ovation I got when the ball landed on the 16th green sent shivers down my spine.
“I’m excited. I kept telling anyone that would listen that I was close. Maybe those last three holes is the catalyst for another great summer with three majors and everything else we have to play for, with the Olympics and the Ryder Cup.”
McIlroy had missed the cut in his home event for the last three years, but completed an error-free 70 in the weather-delayed third round yesterday morning to claim a three-shot lead over Masters champion Danny Willett.
The best of @McIlroyRory's final round in 150 seconds.https://t.co/Nq58NRTlOR
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 22, 2016
And, although Willett’s challenge stalled in the final round with 13 straight pars before he collapsed to a closing 77, Knox ensured McIlroy would certainly not have things all his own way.
Using a driver borrowed from Sweden’s David Lingmerth after cracking the face of his own club on Thursday, Knox missed good birdie chances on the first two holes before holing from 20 feet for eagle on the fourth and similar range for birdie on the next.
After a delay of 69 minutes following the first deluge, McIlroy edged two shots clear with a birdie on the 10th, only to three-putt the 11th and then see Knox draw level with a birdie on the 14th before play was temporarily halted again due to another spell of hailstones.
A birdie on the 15th took Knox into the lead only for McIlroy to produce a stunning approach from 270 yards to set up a two-putt birdie on the 16th, while Knox found sand off the tee and three-putted for a costly bogey.
McIlroy’s birdie putt from six feet on the 17th lipped out, but it did not matter thanks to a magnificent approach to the 18th which ensured he could enjoy the walk to the green and take in the cheers of the crowd.
Knox paid tribute to McIlroy’s finish, adding: “I played brilliant, to be honest.
“Obviously 16 is a huge turning point, but the shots that Rory hit in the end, he deserves to win. I shot 75 the first day and finished tied second. That’s pretty good.”
