Rory McIlroy's response after suffering another near-miss shows his true character

Rory McIlroy is determined to "try to take the positives" after experiencing yet another heartbreaking close call on Sunday, when Rasmus Hojgaard clinched the win at the Irish Open.

While McIlroy seemed poised for a triumphant win on home turf at Royal County Down with a two-shot advantage in the final moments, his hopes were dashed by costly bogeys on the 15th and 17th holes. This marked another setback for the World No.3, who had not tasted victory since the U.S. Open in June, where he faced a similar defeat.

Hojgaard delivered a remarkable performance on the back nine in Northern Ireland, spectacularly holing from off the green twice, finishing at nine-under-par, and securing his fifth DP World title, setting him up for PGA Tour membership next season.

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Fighting to the last putt, McIlroy narrowly missed an eagle on the 18th that would have pushed the competition to a playoff; his putt slipped by just millimetres from the hole. Despite this, the Northern Irish golfer acknowledged his own missteps for not seizing victory on his homeland course.

Now, the 35 year old looks toward the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, aiming to end 2024 on a victorious note following a year tinged with frustration. Despite having won three events, the could-have-beensat the US Open, the Olympics, and now the Irish Openwhere opportunities slipped away in the final holes, linger in McIlroy's record for the season.

"I felt like I was in control of the tournament for most of the day," McIlroy said. "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".

McIlroy enjoyed enthusiastic support from the local fans during the event and he acknowledged their contribution. "I'm very lucky. I get so much support when I come back," he shared. "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".