Rory McIlroy's hopes of a fairytale victory on home soil were dashed as Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard clinched a dramatic one-shot win at the Irish Open at Royal County Down.
McIlroy, who began the day with a one-shot lead, extended his advantage to four strokes early in the final round.
However, the Northern Irishman's grip on the tournament loosened as the day progressed, with costly errors on the back nine proving his undoing.
Hojgaard, meanwhile, surged to the fore with a blistering finish, carding four birdies in his last five holes to post a clubhouse target of nine-under-par.
McIlroy's struggles became apparent on the 15th hole, where he carded a costly bogey.
The drama intensified on the 17th, as Hojgaard holed a brilliant bunker shot for birdie.
Rory McIlroy's difficult year continues
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McIlroy, meanwhile, three-putted from 26 feet, running his first attempt nine feet past the hole.
This error resulted in another bogey, leaving the home favourite two shots adrift with just one hole to play.
Hojgaard's remarkable finish included a back-nine 31, with the highlight being his spectacular bunker shot on the par-four 17th.
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The stage was set for a dramatic finale on the 18th hole. McIlroy needed an eagle to force a playoff, and he gave himself a chance with a brilliant 191-yard seven-iron approach to within 10 feet of the pin.
The crowd at Royal County Down held its breath as McIlroy lined up the putt.
However, in a heartbreaking moment for the home favourite, his eagle attempt slipped by on the right edge.
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Rasmus Hojgaard snatched victory at the Irish Open with a remarkable comeback
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McIlroy had to settle for a birdie and a final-round 69, finishing one shot behind Hojgaard's nine-under total.
The Danish victor, just 23 years old, celebrated his fifth DP World Tour title.
This latest setback adds to McIlroy's frustrating season of near misses.
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Rory McIlroy's wait for a significant event win this year continues
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In June, he squandered a golden opportunity to win the US Open, bogeying three of his last four holes to lose to Bryson DeChambeau.
The disappointment continued at the Olympic Games in Paris, where a late double bogey cost him a chance at a medal.
The Irish Open defeat marks another agonising chapter in what the Irish Independent described as an "annus horribilis" for McIlroy.
Despite his world number three ranking, these close calls have left the Northern Irishman still searching for a signature victory in 2024.
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