Shane Lowry wins Irish Open as Rory McIlroy struggles
Rory McIlroy admitted his putting was the “big reason” behind his disappointing Irish Open title defence as Shane Lowry celebrated victory at Trump International Golf Links, reports BritPanorama.
McIlroy closed with a five-under-par 67 in Doonbeg but had already fallen too far behind to mount a meaningful Sunday challenge. The six-time major winner finished the tournament at one under par, tying for 40th and surrendering the national title he had aimed to defend in front of a home crowd.
His final round offered some encouragement, yet persistent problems on the greens marred his performance. “It was just a struggle on the greens, and that was the big reason why I wasn’t able to get myself into contention,” McIlroy said.
Entering the weekend, McIlroy believed he remained close enough to the leaders to challenge for the title. A poor start to his third round, however, saw him stumble to a two-over 74, effectively derailing his hopes. “I felt like I was within touching distance going into yesterday, and then just that bad start didn’t give me any chance of contending after that,” he explained.
Across the tournament, McIlroy’s scorecard exhibited highlights and flaws alike, featuring one eagle and 15 birdies but marred by eight bogeys and four costly double bogeys. The Northern Irishman took responsibility for several mistakes during the third round, noting “a couple of destructive shots” and “a couple of bad decisions off the tees” as particularly damaging.
Despite the difficulties, he expressed satisfaction with his play from the fairways, suggesting an improvement in his approach work. “Overall, iron play was a lot better,” he stated. Concluding on a positive note, McIlroy referenced his closing 67, which he hoped would provide a springboard into his next competition.
His focus will now shift to the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, a familiar venue that functions almost as his home course after purchasing a property nearby with his family. He is also set to compete in the DP World India Championship and hopes to play twice in the Middle East during the season’s closing weeks. “I’ve got next week, and India. Hopefully, we play two events in the Middle East,” said McIlroy.
Another triumph would take his career total to eight, drawing him level with Colin Montgomerie’s record. While his defence of the Irish Open may have ended timidly, McIlroy believes his game does not necessitate a dramatic overhaul ahead of Wentworth. “I’ve seen enough good stuff this week to give me encouragement,” he concluded. “I don’t feel too far away.”
As the season progresses, McIlroy’s resilience and determination remain evident — a testament to his character amid the pressures of professional golf.
