Rory McIlroy's comments after suffering yet another near-miss shows true character

Rory McIlroy is set to "try to take the positives" after a gut-wrenching near-miss at the Irish Open on Sunday , where Rasmus Hojgaard snatched the title.

McIlroy was in prime position for a win at Royal County Down , leading by two shots before bogeys on the 15th and 17th holes dashed his hopes.

This was another blow for the World No. 3, who hasn't won since the US Open in June, experiencing a similar disappointment.

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Hojgaard shone in Northern Ireland , especially with two incredible off-the-green shots on the back nine, finishing nine-under-par and clinching his fifth DP World title, which paves his way to the PGA Tour next season.

McIlroy, fighting till the end, narrowly missed an eagle putt on the 18th that would have forced a playoff; the ball rolled just millimetres past the cup. Nonetheless, he admitted his own errors were to blame for not clinching victory on home soil.

Looking ahead, the 35-year-old sets his sights on the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, determined to finish 2024 on a high note after a year speckled with frustration. Despite three wins, the 'what-ifs' at the US Open, the Olympics, and now the Irish Open - where chances slipped in the final moments - continue to haunt McIlroy's season.

"I felt like I was in control of the tournament for most of the day," McIlroy expressed. "Felt like I was playing really solid, doing what I needed to do, making a lot of pars, making the odd birdie. Then obviously the two bogeys on 15 and 17 opened the door for someone to have a good finish like what Rasmus did there on the last few holes."

"I played well this week, [but] missing the green right on 15 was the place that you can't go. And just misjudged the speed with the first putt on 17. Overall, yeah, obviously really disappointed that I didn't win but I'll try to take the positives and move on next week to Wentworth".

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McIlroy appreciated the local fans' enthusiastic support during the event. "I'm very lucky. I get so much support when I come back," he said.

"I certainly don't take it for granted. I sort of had to try to keep my composure walking up to the 18th green there."

"I did that as best as I could, but yeah, wish I could play in front of those fans and this atmosphere every week; it isn't quite like that [elsewhere]. Personally appreciate all the support and I can't wait to come back. Hopefully the tide is going to turn pretty soon, and I can turn all these close calls into victories".

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