Rory McIlroy reflects on Irish Open disappointment and insists there’s no mental hangover

"I didn’t feel I necessarily lost the tournament."

Rory McIlroy has spoken publicly for the first time after narrowly losing out on the Irish Open in front of his home crowd at Royal County Down on Sunday.

Rasmus Højgaard won the tournament with an incredible late surge during Sunday's final round of the competition.

The Dane produced an incredible back-to-back birdie and a moment of magic on the 17th when he holed out for birdie from a bunker off the green.

His sensational score of 31 on the back nine made him the clubhouse leader while McIlroy was still out on the course.

The Northern Irishman bogeyed the 15th and 17th and missed an eagle putt on the 18th to force a play-off, leaving him runner-up to Rasmus.

Speaking to the media ahead of this weekend's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, McIlroy gave credit to Højgaard for his performance in Ireland, and insisted he was looking forward to the next tournament as opposed to backwards.

Agony for Rory McIlroy.

Rasmus Højgaard wins the Amgen Irish Open 🏆#AmgenIrishOpen pic.twitter.com/eAZtCQmudV

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 15, 2024

"I'm glad for the opportunity to get back on the horse again," he said.

"I think there may be a misconception that it hit me harder than it maybe did. You know, I didn't really feel like I necessarily lost the tournament. I felt like Rasmus went out and won it - shot 31 on the back nine.

"So yeah, I shouldn't have missed the green right on 15 and I misjudged the first putt on 17. But looking back on Sunday and the support of the crowds and that scene on 18 and everything, it was amazing to be a part of."

The four-time major winner continued: "Obviously just trying to look for the positives in all of it but happy to be here at Wentworth, the sun is shining, there's not many better places to be.

"My game is feeling like it's in pretty good shape and I feel like I have another chance to win a really big tournament that means a lot to me.

"It feels like quite a long time since I won at Quail Hollow back in May, and I've come close here a couple of times. I was second to Francesco (Molinari) in 2018, second to Shane (Lowry) in 2022.

"My form at this tournament over the last few years has been very good so it would be nice to just get another win on the board.

"It would just be wonderful to give myself another chance. Every Sunday that I get myself into contention is an opportunity but also a day to test myself and learn from the good, the bad and everything else."

McIlroy will partner Ryder Cup team-mate Justin Rose and defending champion Ryan Fox in the first two rounds at Wentworth as he attempts to put gain breathing room with his lead at the top of the Race to Dubai leaderboard.