AMGEN IRISH OPEN

September 15, 2024

Rory McIlroy

Royal County Down GC

Quick Quotes

Q. What are your thoughts right now?

RORY McILROY: Felt like I was in control of the tournament for most of the day. 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.

Yeah, unfortunately I played well this week, 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.

Q. It's tough because it's just happened but how emotional an experience is this for you coming so close in your hometown?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I must say, I've never -- that roar when I hit that second shot on 18 was pretty cool.

Yeah, the support I got out there this week was absolutely amazing. I've had a great time being home. It's been too long. Need to keep coming back more often.

But yeah, look, from where I was at the start of the week and what I wanted to do, it's a step in the right direction. You know, if anything, it just whets my appetite even more for Portrush next year.

Q. 17, the misjudged the pace of the putt, but you came back on 18 and hit probably the drive of the week and iron shot of the week and maybe even the putt of the week. Talk me through that period.

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I saw when I missed the second putt on 17, I saw that Rasmus had got to 9. So I knew what I needed to do on the 18th tee. Driver probably wasn't the shot that was in play because it brought those three bunkers into play but I needed to try to make eagle.

I had to try to thread it through those bunkers, which I did, and then yeah, the 7-iron was -- yeah, probably two of the best shots I've hit all week.

I thought I hit the putt with good enough speed for it to sort of come down the hill a little more. It just hung up there. Maybe the wind had a little to do with that coming out of the left.

But I guess I can take the positives; that I hit the shots when I needed to, knowing that I needed to make a 3.

Q. I appreciate it's very raw at the minute but can you appreciate the crowds?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, the support, I'm very lucky. I get so much support when I come back. 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. But 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. Yeah, personally appreciate all the support and I can't wait to come back.

Q. Is this the tough part of being a sports person, those near misses?

RORY McILROY: It is. Unfortunately I'm getting used to it this year. Hopefully the tide is going to turn pretty soon, and I can turn all these close calls into victories.