Rory McIlroy says there’s something he ‘must say’ after his near miss at the Irish Open

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Rory McIlroy has suffered yet another heartbreak this season after his near miss at the Irish Open in Northern Ireland.

McIlroy felt he was in control at Royal County Down, but he ultimately lost his way as Rasmus Hojgaard emerged victorious.

It was a repeat of this year’s US Open nightmare, when McIlroy suffered a final round collapse at Pinehurst to lose out to Bryson DeChambeau.

The home favourite needed an eagle to force an Irish Open play-off with Hojgaard, but his putt narrowly missed the hole.

McIlroy created the opportunity for himself superbly, drilling a stunning seven-iron fairway shot just 10 feet to the pin.

Rory McIlroy makes crowd admission after his Irish Open heartache

Smylie Kaufman loved McIlroy’s effort, with the player himself really enjoying the immediate reaction from the home crowd.

“I must say, that roar when I hit that second shot on 18 was pretty cool,” McIlroy said in his final press conference. “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. Wish I could play in front of those fans and this atmosphere every week.

“From where I was at the start of the week and what I wanted to do, it’s a step in the right direction. You know, if anything, it just whets my appetite even more for Portrush next year.”

Rory McIlroy must take positives from Irish Open

McIlroy will now be chomping at the bit to play on home soil once more, and he has a chance to do that at Royal Portrush next year.

The iconic course will host The Open Championship in 2025, although the Northern Irishman doesn’t exactly have the best memories there.

He missed the cut when the major was held at Portrush in 2019, with Irishman Shane Lowry clinching the title.

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McIlroy meanwhile needs to bounce back from another final round collapse, with the BMW PGA Championship up next.

The four-time major champion will certainly be under the spotlight in Wentworth this week, but he knows that plenty of positives can be taken from his roller-coaster week at the Irish Open.