Royal County Down win my ‘most special moment': Irish Open champion confirms he will defend title
McIlroy, who at one point had led by four shots during the final round, had an eagle putt on the par-five 18th to force a play-off despite bogeying two of his three prior holes, but ultimately came up just short as four birdies in his last five earned Højgaard the victory.
Off the back of his Irish Open success, Højgaard has gone from strength to strength, making the cut in eight of his first 11 events this season on the PGA Tour and playing the weekend at both The Masters and the US PGA Championship.
And the World No.64 is keen to go back-to-back after announcing he will return to the tournament this year at The K Club, which begins on September 4, adding to a star-studded field that already includes the likes of McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Séamus Power.
'Winning the Amgen Irish Open last year was one of the most special moments of my career,' said Højgaard. 'To do it in such dramatic fashion, against such a strong field, is something I'll never forget.
'I'm really looking forward to returning to The K Club this September. It's a world-class venue with a rich history, and the Irish fans always create an incredible atmosphere. Defending my title there will be a real honour.
'The Irish Open is always one of the highlights of the season. It's a special tournament to me and I'm excited to be part of it again and hopefully give myself a chance to lift the trophy one more time.'
This is the second time the Palmer North Course at The K Club will host the event in the last three years as part of a deal between the Irish Open and the venue that will see it also stage the tournament in 2027.
McIlroy is looking for his second win at the Kildare course having produced a scintillating final round performance to win his, to date, only Irish Open in 2016, with Sweden's Vincent Norrman triumphing in 2023.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
12 hours ago
- Daily Record
Bubba Watson shows true colours revealing LIV Golf 'struggles' as he uses PGA Tour caddie
Bubba Watson has noted how he has struggled both on and off the course recently, but looks to have returned to his best at LIV Golf UK. It's been an encouraging week for the RangeGoats captain in Rocester, who is on track for his highest finish since moving over to the breakaway league from the PGA Tour in 2022. In the years since, Watson has struggled with injury and dips in form, even finishing in the relegation zone last season. But after presenting a compelling "business case" to the league and his team, he ultimately saw his spot on the roster reinstated for 2024. Reflecting on a challenging time, Watson told the press: "The last couple of years, it's been a struggle. Been a struggle mentally, physically, and golf-wise. You want to play better, right?" He added: "I want to have a strong finish to the year, and I see that I can do it. Now, will I do it? That is the question. But I would love to finish in the top 20, if not better, and have a chance to win and then challenge the Team Championship in match play. "All of this is a positive step forward in my career. Obviously, the better I finish, the better it is for me, the team, and everything else. Yeah, I'm going to get out there and battle. Second place right now looks like it's a good place to finish. It's going to be a battle for the second place, if nothing else." Watson's words are clearly a testament to a solid mentality, and he has utilised his struggles as a launch pad to bounce back in form. However, his new caddie Kyle Peters has also played his own role in helping the 46-year-old find his feet again. Peters joined Watson for the 2025 season, having previously worked with PGA Tour luminary Corey Conners. And the LIV star has credited his new looper for improvements in his game, particularly on the green. He said: "I'm making the putts," adding: "Obviously, caddie change. Listening to him on the greens, working with him on my putting, it's been fun. It's energized me. "I feel like a young kid out here learning the game all over again. It's exciting, and I've been calm, working on the mental side of it, and I've been calm out there on the golf course, and it's paying off."
Scottish Sun
12 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Golfer Lottie Woad wins her FIRST ever event as a professional after missing out on nearly £500,000 in prize money
Young star missed out on nearly HALF A MILLION in prize money because she was an amateur WOAD TRIP Golfer Lottie Woad wins her FIRST ever event as a professional after missing out on nearly £500,000 in prize money Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GOLF prodigy Lottie Woad has beaten the world's top golfers to win her very first event as a professional. Woad, 21, takes home £223,000 for winning the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open - after missing out on nearly HALF A MILLION in prize money because she was an amateur Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Lottie Woad tees off on the 13th hole at Dundonald Credit: Getty 3 England's Lottie Woad has missed out on nearly half a million pounds in prize money Credit: PA Woad turned pro last week after a remarkable month when she claimed her maiden Ladies European Tour triumph at the Irish Open, and took third place finish at the Evian Championship. She TWICE had to turn down huge cash prizes because the rules of golf mean she cannot take prize money while still an amateur. At the start of July Woad won the Women's Irish Open by six shots but because she was an amateur, she couldn't receive the £58,000 prize. Woad then missed out on £400,000 in prize money for coming third at the Evian Championship, the fourth women's major of the year. Most read in Golf SWING AWAY Golf star looks unrecognisable as Adam Sandler's body double in Happy Gilmore 2 She finished just a shot outside the play-off won by Grace Kim - and a £1million first prize. Woad, from Farnham, Surrey, turned professional just a week ago after a spectacular career as an amateur golfer. She won the 2022 Girls Amateur Championship, then followed that up with victory at the Augusta National Women's Amateur last year. 3 Lottie Woad celebrates winning the Women's Irish Open Credit: Sportsfile THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Bubba Watson shows true colours revealing LIV Golf 'struggles' as he uses PGA Tour caddie
Bubba Watson has shown glimmers of hope at this weekend's LIV Golf UK event in Rocester, as he looks to bounce back from hard times on the three-year-old breakaway circuit Bubba Watson has noted how he has struggled both on and off the course recently, but looks to have returned to his best at LIV Golf UK. It's been an encouraging week for the RangeGoats captain in Rocester, who is on track for his highest finish since moving over to the breakaway league from the PGA Tour in 2022. In the years since, Watson has struggled with injury and dips in form, even finishing in the relegation zone last season. But after presenting a compelling "business case" to the league and his team, he ultimately saw his spot on the roster reinstated for 2024. Reflecting on a challenging time, Watson told the press: "The last couple of years, it's been a struggle. Been a struggle mentally, physically, and golf-wise. You want to play better, right?" He added: "I want to have a strong finish to the year, and I see that I can do it. Now, will I do it? That is the question. But I would love to finish in the top 20, if not better, and have a chance to win and then challenge the Team Championship in match play. "All of this is a positive step forward in my career. Obviously, the better I finish, the better it is for me, the team, and everything else. Yeah, I'm going to get out there and battle. Second place right now looks like it's a good place to finish. It's going to be a battle for the second place, if nothing else." Watson's words are clearly a testament to a solid mentality, and he has utilised his struggles as a launch pad to bounce back in form. However, his new caddie Kyle Peters has also played his own role in helping the 46-year-old find his feet again. Peters joined Watson for the 2025 season, having previously worked with PGA Tour luminary Corey Conners. And the LIV star has credited his new looper for improvements in his game, particularly on the green. He said: "I'm making the putts," adding: "Obviously, caddie change. Listening to him on the greens, working with him on my putting, it's been fun. It's energized me. "I feel like a young kid out here learning the game all over again. It's exciting, and I've been calm, working on the mental side of it, and I've been calm out there on the golf course, and it's paying off."
