Rory McIlroy described 2025 as 'a pretty cool year' after adding a second Irish Open title to his Masters victory with a dramatic playoff win over Sweden's Joakim Lagergren at Royal County Down.
The world No 2, who completed a career grand slam at Augusta in April, needed a stunning eagle on the 72nd hole to force extra holes after Lagergren had also eagled the 16th. After two tied birdie fours in the playoff, Lagergren found the water on the third extra hole, allowing McIlroy to seal victory with two putts.
McIlroy, who also won at the same venue in 2016, said: 'I just feel so lucky that I get to do this in front of these people. The support has been amazing all week. So happy I could play the way I did this week and get the win.'
Reflecting on his decisive eagle putt at the 18th, McIlroy added: 'I had a putt last year at Royal County Down to force a playoff with Rasmus Højgaard and it just missed on the high side, so it felt like that was a little bit of redemption. I wanted to be aggressive with it – such a cool feeling.'
The victory came after a five-way tie for the lead at 14 under when the final group turned for home. Angel Hidalgo, who shot a stunning 63 on Saturday, finished tied third on 15 under with Rafa Cabrera Bello, who made a hole-in-one at the 3rd. Spaniard Angel Ayora was fifth alongside third-round leader Adrien Saddier.
Looking ahead, McIlroy said: 'To do what I did earlier in the year and then to come home and win my national open, no matter what happens for the rest of the year, that's a pretty cool year – 2025's going to be one of the best, if not the best, of my career. But we're not finished yet.' He now heads to Wentworth for the BMW PGA Championship before the Ryder Cup at Bethpage.
