Rory McIlroy year of close calls added another chapter Sunday as the four-time major winner, who was in control of the 2024 Irish Open at Royal County Down throughout 54 holes, was chased down at the end by Rasmus Højgaard.

NEWCASTLE, Northern Ireland (AP) — Rasmus Hojgaard birdied his last three holes Sunday for a 6-under 65 to win the Irish Open and hand Rory McIlroy another dose of disappointment before a raucous gallery at Royal County Down.

World No.3 Rory McIlroy missed a golden opportunity to win the Irish Open in front of his home fans at Royal County Down.

After three days of play at Royal County Down, only one man can say he has been under par walking off the 18th green. That man is Rory McIlroy, who followed up rounds of 68-70 to open the 2024 Irish Open with a 2-under 69 on Moving Day to go from two back to one in front heading into Sunday's deciding round.

Matteo Manassero had to cope with the afternoon wind and the cold at Royal County Down for a 66 in the Irish Open.

Rory McIlroy has birdied his final three holes to shoot 3-under 68 and sit two strokes off the first-round lead at the Irish Open

Rory McIlroy has 17 DP World Tour wins. He’s 18 holes from adding an 18th. McIlroy tied for low the round of the day on Saturday with a 2-under 69 at Royal County Down in Newcastle, Northern Ireland, at the 2024 Amgen Irish Open.

Rory McIlroy’s despair in losing the Amgen Irish Open in excruciating scenes was reminiscent of his US Open defeat earlier this year and was felt by all of the home fans who swarmed across Royal County Down on Sunday.

With a sold-out crowd and a ton of momentum, Rory McIlroy appeared poised to post his first DP World Tour victory on Northern Irish soil after taking the 54-hole lead at the Amgen Irish Open on Saturday.