In a stunning display of nerve and skill, Rasmus Højgaard snatched victory from Rory McIlroy at the Amgen Irish Open, making the final stretch at Royal County Down one for the history books.
The young Dane, just 23, didn’t just play golf; he orchestrated a late-game masterstroke that saw him overcome a local crowd favourite, sealing his fifth DP World Tour title with flair.
McIlroy seemed all set to celebrate his first professional win on Irish soil, leading by two with only four holes left.
The crowd was buzzing, the air was thick with anticipation, but Højgaard wasn’t just there to make up the numbers. He was there to win.
The Turn of the Tide
With the stakes high, Højgaard flipped the script in the closing holes. He dialled in four birdies over the last five holes, shooting a remarkable closing 65 that catapulted him not just to the top of the leaderboard but also into second place in the Race to Dubai Rankings, in partnership with Rolex.
Oh, and let’s not forget—he’s now leading the pack in the European Ryder Cup standings.
McIlroy’s Early Dominance and Subsequent Stumbles
The day started well for McIlroy. He was the picture of focus, birdieing the first two holes and briefly creating a comfortable four-shot cushion as his closest competitor, Matteo Manassero, faltered early on.
But golf is a fickle friend. A misstep on the seventh where McIlroy failed to recover from a tricky lie left of the green, and missed putts on the eighth and ninth holes began to erode his lead.
Meanwhile, Højgaard was slowly but surely turning up the heat. His miraculous chip-in for birdie on the tenth sent a clear message: he was not going away quietly.
When McIlroy bogeyed the 15th and Højgaard added a birdie on the 16th, the tournament was suddenly wide open.
A Heart-Stopping Finish
The drama peaked on the 17th, where Højgaard’s stunning bunker shot found the bottom of the cup, putting him ahead.
McIlroy answered with a birdie on the 16th, drawing level once more. But it was Højgaard who kept his cool, birdieing the 18th to put all the pressure on McIlroy.
Needing an eagle on the last to force a playoff, McIlroy’s putt agonisingly slid past the hole, handing a well-earned victory to Højgaard.
This wasn’t just another win; this was a statement. Højgaard has now etched his name alongside other great Danish players like Søren Hansen, Thomas Bjørn, and Søren Kjeldsen, who have all lifted the Irish Open trophy.
A Heartfelt Cause Amidst the Thrills
Beyond the swings and putts, the Birdies-For-Wishes initiative at Royal County Down brought a touch of warmth, raising £120,000 over the tournament days for Make-A-Wish Ireland.
Each birdie and eagle not only advanced a player but also brought hope to children facing critical illnesses.
What’s in Højgaard’s Bag?
Curious about the gear that powered Højgaard’s late surge? Here’s the lowdown:
- Driver: Ai Smoke TD 10.5º with a Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Blue 60-TX shaft
- Fairway Wood: Ai Smoke TD U 15º
- Irons: Apex Pro ’24 3-Iron / X Forged ’24 4-PW
- Wedges: Opus 52º, 56º, and 60º
- Ball: Chrome Tour X
- Putter: Odyssey Ai-ONE Milled Eight T DB
