McIlroy denied by Hojgaard in Irish Open thriller

Rory McIlroy was denied a fairytale win in front of his home fans as Rasmus Hojgaard produced a storming finish to win the Irish Open by one shot in a hugely dramatic final round at Royal County Down.

Overnight leader McIlroy led by four shots early in the round but dropped shots at 15 and 17 proved costly as Hojgaard birdied four of the last five holes to shoot 65 and snatch his fifth DP World Tour title.

With Hojgaard having posted a nine-under total, McIlroy needed to eagle the last hole to force a play-off but his putt slipped by on the right edge.

Hojgaard, brilliant on the day, surged to the finish line with the highlight of his back-nine 31 a brilliantly holed bunker shot at the par-four 17th.

While the 23-year-old - who emulates countryman Soren Kjeldsen's triumph at this course in 2015 - can celebrate a superb victory, it is yet another agonising near-miss for McIlroy in a season where he has squandered a golden chance to win the US Open and seen his Olympic medal hopes slip through his grasp.

In a remarkable finish, McIlroy's dropped shot at 17 coupled with Hojgaard's closing birdie meant the four-time major winner needed an improbable eagle to take the Dane to extra holes.

And having boomed a drive up the fairway, McIlroy gave himself a chance when he drilled an excellent seven-iron to 10 feet. But his putt agonisingly shaved the right edge of the cup as he was denied the perfect end to a memorable week on the sun-kissed Newcastle links.