What a green double for Rory McIlroy. A brand new jacket of that colour in April and victory in his national open on the Emerald Isle in September.
There’s no doubt, of course, that the first triumph, and with it the career Grand Slam, takes precedence, but don’t underestimate the sheer joy that this latest success provided McIlroy himself and the adoring galleries that followed his progress throughout all four days of action on the North Course at the K Club outside Dublin.
The sonic boom that greeted his eagle-3 on the 72nd hole, a blow that took the tournament into extra holes, revealed just what McIlroy means to golf fans on the island of Ireland. The generations hugged one another, bellowed their approval, and bounced in giddy delirium as the 27-foot putt found the bottom of the hole.
Don’t underrate either McIlroy’s desire to win the Irish Open for just the second time in 17 starts or to atone for near-misses in the last two renewals.
In 2023 he headed into the final round in third place, and just two shots behind the leader, only to add a 74 that left him in a share of 16th. Last year at Royal County Down he led the field after 54 holes but Rasmus Højgaard set a target he fell one shot short of equalling.
Then, as on Sunday, he needed to gain two shots on the card when playing the final hole to match the clubhouse lead. Last year the putt slipped past the hole, and this year the five-time major champion was in no mood to experience déjà vu.
“It felt like redemption,” he said of the putt dropping, and it was greeted like resurrection by the crowds. Joakim Lagergren, the man their hero had matched, was likely less exultant, but he was far from overawed.
The 33-year-old Swede claimed his only DP World Tour title at the 2018 Sicilian Open, but he has twice been victorious on the island of Ireland on the second-tier tour, including on the K Club’s South Course last summer, and he had reignited those good vibes on this Sunday.
At the start of the back nine, Lagergren and Mcllroy had been part of a five-way share of the lead, but the Swede edged clear with a magnificent blow of 265 yards to the par-5 16th green that left him just 4 feet for the eagle.
Lagergren didn’t waste the opportunity and signed for a 17-under total of 271 that the Spaniards Rafa Cabrera Bello and Angel Hidalgo fell two shots shy of to share third. After McIlroy matched Lagergren, the two added birdies when they replayed the 18th for the first and second times.
At the third time of asking McIlroy made yet another birdie whilst Lagergren found water with his approach. The cheers that greeted victory were maybe not as ear-splitting as those at the conclusion of regulation play, but there was another wild outpouring of emotion.
“I just feel just so lucky that I get to do this,” the champion said, looking out across galleries that had already begun chanting his name. “I thought this week was going to be a nice homecoming, with the green jacket and all that, but this has been absolutely incredible. It has exceeded all of my expectations.
“I love coming home, I love playing in this atmosphere. Moments like this, these are the things you’ll remember when your career is over. It’s a special day and I’m just so happy I got to play the way I did for all of the fans.”
The sense that this result had added significantly to a career-defining year was real.
“To win the Masters and then to win my national open – no matter what happens for the rest of the year, that’s a pretty cool year.
“2025 is going to go down as one of the best, if not the best, of my career. But we’re not finished yet. I’ve got a big week at Wentworth [site of this week’s BMW PGA Championship] and then obviously everyone’s looking forward to the Ryder Cup.
“My team’s in good shape and I’m playing well. That excites me for what’s coming up.”
Matt Cooper