Rory McIlroy pipped at the post again as late bogey allows Rasmus Hojgaard to claim Irish Open title with brilliant finish

Rory McIlroy suffered another heartbreaking defeat as Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard produced a brilliant finish to win the Irish Open.

McIlroy looked on course to claim his first professional win on home soil when he led by two shots with four holes to play at Royal County Down, just an hour’s drive from where the Northern Irishman grew up.

But while Hojgaard completed a superb 65 with four birdies in the last five holes — including three in a row from the 16th — McIlroy crucially three-putted the 17th and then agonisingly missed an eagle putt on the 18th which would have forced a play-off.

The 35-year-old, who missed out on a first major since 2014 when he bogeyed three of the last four holes at the US Open in June, said: ‘Unfortunately I’m getting used to it this year.

‘Hopefully the tide is going to turn pretty soon and I can turn all these close calls into victories.

McIlroy let his lead slip away in the final holes as he missed out on victory once again

‘I must say, the roar when I hit that second shot on 18 was pretty cool. The support I got out there this week was absolutely amazing. I certainly don’t take it for granted.

‘I had to try to keep my composure walking up to the 18th green there. I wish I could play in front of those fans and this atmosphere every week.

Rasmus Hojgaard of Denmark produced a brilliant finish to win the Irish Open

‘From where I was at the start of the week and what I wanted to do, it’s a step in the right direction.

‘If anything, it just whets my appetite even more for Portrush (which hosts the Open) next year.’