Hojgaard birdies last 3 holes to win the Irish Open and hand McIlroy more heartache

NEWCASTLE, Northern Ireland (AP) — Rasmus Hojgaard birdied his last three holes Sunday for a 6-under 65 to win the Irish Open and hand Rory McIlroy another dose of disappointment before a raucous gallery at Royal County Down.

McIlroy had a two-shot lead on the back nine until Hojgaard put together a stunning charge down the stretch to win for the fifth time on the European tour and deny McIlroy a victory in his home country.

“Unfortunately, I’m getting used to it this year,” McIlroy said. “Hopefully, the tide is going to turn pretty soon, and I can turn all these close calls into victories.”

McIlroy had a pair of bogeys on the closing four holes that allowed Hojgaard, playing two groups in front of him, to charge to victory in stunning fashion.