Host McIlroy rallies to secure Irish Open title

1:03 PM ET

Tournament host Rory McIlroy produced a sensational finish to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and win the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open for the first time at The K Club.

McIlroy had seen his three-shot lead turned into a one-shot deficit with three holes to play as Scotland’s Russell Knox carded four birdies and an eagle in a final round interrupted twice by hailstorms and torrential rain.

But the world No. 3 then birdied the par-five 16th as Knox three-putted and, after lipping out for birdie on the 17th, fired a stunning approach from 252 yards to within three feet of the hole on the 18th for a closing eagle.

The resulting 69 meant McIlroy finished three shots clear of Knox and Wales’ Bradley Dredge to claim the first prize of £515,000 [$747,000], which he will donate to his own foundation which hosted the tournament for the second year.

Dredge surged through the field with a 66 to secure the biggest pay-day of his career, with Knox returning a 68.

McIlroy had missed the cut in his home …

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