Rory McIlroy won his first-ever Dubai Duty Free Irish Open on Sunday, hoisting the trophy in his 10th try and second time as tournament host.
The Ulsterman was locked in a tight battle throughout the back nine with Russell Knox, who was looking for his first worldwide win in 2016. The turning point came for McIlroy on the par-5 16th, when he found the green in 2 shots from 271 yards, leading to a birdie to Knox's disappointing bogey.
McIlroy from 271 yards. https://t.co/9uEqWgUuK9
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 22, 2016
Then McIlroy came to the par-5 finishing hole at The K Club.
McIlroy found the fairway with his tee shot, leaving 253 yards to the hole. Looking for an exclamation point to lock up his maiden Irish Open title, McIlroy smoked his next shot to 2 feet for a tap-in, tournament-ending eagle.
253 yards.
The shot of a champion. https://t.co/7EpcJKAbWH
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 22, 2016
Given the pressure on McIlroy to break through in his national open and the esteem he has for the event, these were two of the greatest shots of his life. Now McIlroy has a win in 2016 and momentum heading into the U.S. Open at Oakmont in June.
As for the $747,693 first-place check, McIlroy is donating all of is to the Rory Foundation, which is the primary beneficiary of the Irish Open.
