Rory McIlroy in disbelief at heart-stopping moment before winning Irish Open play-off

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Sep 7, 2025 - 21:43

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Rory McIlroy in disbelief at heart-stopping moment before winning Irish Open play-off

Rory McIlroy has become a two-time Irish Open champion following a dramatic play-off victory over Joakim Lagergren.

The pair could not be separated for the first two play-off holes, but it was Lagergren who lost his composure on the third when his ball bounced off the green and trickled into the water.

McIlroy won the Irish Open for the first time since 2016

McIlroy, who missed his lengthy putt for eagle, made no mistake to finish with a birdie.

Unfortunately for Lagergren, he fizzed his effort beyond the hole to hand McIlroy the victory.

It was McIlroy’s first win since he completed the career grand slam in April when he won the Masters which, coincidentally, was also via a nerve-jangling play-off against Justin Rose.

Not only that, but he secured a tidy pay day of $1.02million (£755,130).

McIlroy’s reaction to winning play-off

“I love coming home, I love playing in this atmosphere,” McIlroy told Sky Sports.

“Moments like this, these are the things as you’re going to remember well after your career is over.

“This is a really special day.”

McIlroy’s victory at the K Club in Saffran couldn’t have come at a better time as it gives the Northern Irishman plenty of momentum heading into the Ryder Cup, which begins on September 26 at Bethpage Black in New York.

McIlroy’s all-time shot forced play-off

The 36-year-old’s triumph was also achieved in rather improbable circumstances given he arrived at the 18th hole during the final round knowing he needed an eagle or better to stay alive.

That’s because of Lagergren’s brilliance on the final stretch, as he recorded an eagle on the par-five 16th and then a birdie on the par-five 18th to finish the final round at the Irish Open on -17.

The 36-year-old had fans on their feet after he forced the play-off

But McIlroy, who has so often proved he has ice in his veins, delivered just that with a staggering 27-foot putt to secure the necessary eagle on the 18th to force a play-off against Lagergren.

It was the perfect hole from McIlroy, as a 340-yard drive off the tee box was followed by a stunning 192-yard shot onto the green.

McIlroy’s final-hole eagle continued what had been a dazzling final round which included an improbable putt that lipped around the entire hole before it fell in.

As he set up for a putt on the par-four 13th, the Northern Irishman was locked in a four-way tie for first place at the K Club.

But one heart-stopping tap of the ball later and he had the lead all to himself.

McIlroy’s dream putt sends commentators wild

McIlroy, who was putting for a birdie, sent the ball towards the hole and instantly would have thought his chance to nudge ahead of the pack was gone when it lipped around.

McIlroy was a stunned mullet after the ball went in and didn’t know how to react…[/caption]

Only to be captured saying, ‘How did that go in’, on the broadcast[/caption]

McIlroy was far from the only person who couldn’t believe his putt on the 13th

But, in the most remarkable of circumstances, the ball dropped in to hand McIlroy a vital birdie and the outright lead.

As the crowd roared in approval, McIlroy didn’t quite know how to initially react as he stood frozen in time.

After the camera panned to the patrons at the K Club, it returned to McIlroy who was now hunched over and wore a look of utter disbelief on his face.

One commentator said: “Stop it!”

Another commentator replied: “A little McIlroy magic right there.”

Sky Sports’ Paul McGinley added: “I think the crowd blew it in. Is that the little bit of luck and the break that you need, at the right time, of a tournament?”

Lagergren was almost faultless in the final round, only to be undone at the very end

McIlroy’s remarkable putt took his score for the overall tournament to -15.

Unfortunately for McIlroy, his time at the top of the leaderboard in the final round didn’t last long.

How McIlroy’s rival snatched lead off of Northern Irishman

Swedish star Lagergren took the lead for himself when he produced a stunning eagle on the par-five 16th to improve his score to -16 with only two holes remaining in his final round.

After a solid tee shot which put him on the fairway, Lagergren fired the ball 266 yards onto the green, leaving only a five-inch putt between him and the lead.

The Swede showed all the composure in the world to drain the putt as he assumed first place.

Lagergren then extended his lead with a birdie on the par-five 18th to all but seal the title, or so he thought as McIlroy pulled off the improbable.