McIlroy: Irish Open near miss 'whets appetite' for Portrush

Rory McIlroy has vowed to become a winner again soon - and insisted his Irish Open near miss has only made him more determined to get the job done at next year's Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

McIlroy was pipped on the line at Royal County Down by the fast-finishing Rasmus Hojgaard who chipped in twice and birdied his final three holes to prevail by a single shot.

A disappointed McIlroy, who missed out on a first major since 2014 when he bogeyed three of the last four holes in the US Open in June, said: "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.

"I must say, that roar when I hit that second shot on 18 was pretty cool. The support I got out there this week was absolutely amazing. I certainly don’t take it for granted.

I rish Open Final Round Recap

"I had to try to keep my composure walking up to the 18th green there. Wish I could play in front of those fans and this atmosphere every week.

"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 [the Open Championship] next year."

McIlroy took a one-shot lead into the final round and made the ideal start with birdies on the first and second.

With playing partner Matteo Manassero then dropping shots on the third and fourth, McIlroy briefly enjoyed a four-shot lead before making a bogey on the seventh and missing from inside 10 feet for birdie on both the eighth and ninth.

Irish Open Final Leaderboard