Soren Kjeldsen Wins Irish Open as Rory McIlroy Misses the Cut for 3rd Straight Year
by Maura Hutchinson
With a two-stroke lead going into the final round, Kjeldsen nearly missed out on his fourth European Tour win. Despite an iffy round, the Dane managed to battle back to finish at 2-under to tie Eddie Pepperell and Bernd Wiesberger.
Going into the playoff, Kjeldsen was able to hold his nerve to sink a birdie putt that secured him victory for the first time in six years.
“Three weeks ago I was 112th in the Order of Merit and my game was not in good shape,” the golfer told reporters afterwards. “With [recently] turning 40 you wonder was that it? Now I am standing here and it’s pretty remarkable really.”
Sunday’s win also earned Kjeldsen an invite to July’s Open Championship. Marking the Dane’s first appearance at the major since 2010.
“It’s like I am dreaming but I don’t want anyone to wake me up,” he said.
Tough conditions at Royal County Down meant a not-so-great couple of days for some of the game’s biggest names.
He might have been the tournament host and the event’s chief supporter, but World Number 1 Rory McIlroy failed to make the Irish Open cut for the third straight year.
A disastrous opening round of 80 proved too difficult for the 26-year-old to overcome. Marking McIlroy’s second missed cut in a row after also failing to make the grade at Wentworth last month.
Rickie Fowler and Graeme McDowell managed to both finish T30 at +7, while Lee Westwood ended the weekend T53 at +12.