Irish Open 2016: Final Leaderboard Scores, Prize Money Payouts
Rory McIlroy captured the 2016 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in a rain-drenched conclusion to the tournament on Sunday, battling Russell Knox down the home straight.
Hailstones pummelled the golfers on the final holes, as the leaders fought for the title in the final hour of play.
The Irish star carded a final round of 69, while Knox shot a bogey on the 16th hole, turning the competition. This year's Irish Open was the richest in history with €4 million in prize money riding on the proceedings, per the Irish Examiner.
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Read on for a breakdown of the final day's scores in full, complete with recap and highlights of all the drama.
| 1 | Rory McIlroy | -12 | 69 |
| T2 | Bradley Dredge | -9 | 66 |
| T2 | Russell Knox | -9 | 68 |
| 4 | Matthew Southgate | -8 | 68 |
| T5 | Martin Kaymer | -6 | 65 |
| T5 | Maximilian Kieffer | -6 | 67 |
| T5 | Tyrrell Hatton | -6 | 70 |
Final Round Recap
McIlroy struggled with the putter in hand on Sunday as his three-shot overnight lead evaporated, but his long game got him out of trouble in the final stages.
The Irish superstar made tough work of the front nine under gray skies at the K Club, achieving a birdie on the fourth, only to bogey the sixth.
The world No. 3 was struggling after two consecutive rounds of 70, failing to better par consistently on each hole as he approached the final straight.
He followed a birdie on the 10th with a bogey putt, but as his form let him down, he hung on as Knox attacked.
Knox grabbed the lead with back-to-back birdies on the 14th and 15th, but McIlroy grabbed a birdie on No. 16 when the Scotsman two-putted to miss par.
McIlroy and Knox battled on the final stretch as the Irishman landed in the heart of the green on the par-five 16th, changing the mood of the home crowd, which cheered their favourite son.
The European Tour captured McIlroy's monster drive as he put the pressure on Knox:
"McIlroy from 271 yards. https://t.co/9uEqWgUuK9
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 22, 2016"
McIlroy's superb approach iron to the 17th was the shot of the day, as he landed just on the green, but he failed to sink his putt. The ball spun round the hole and out.
However, an imperious drive on the 18th once again started the cheers for McIlroy. He attacked the flag, leaving himself a simple putt for the victory in a wonderful atmosphere of joy.
Martin Kaymer was the alpha male of the final round; he was back early in the clubhouse after finishing a final round of 65—completing an effort of six under for the competition.
Two magnificent eagles on the fourth and 18th put the German in contention, and birdies on the ninth, 10th and 14th propelled him up the leaderboard.
Danny Willett's return to the European Tour ended in disappointment after a great start to the competition, as the defending Masters champion witnessed his form collapse.
The Englishman failed to break par for the day as he reached the 13th hole, and bogeys on the 14th and 15th ended his chances.
McIlroy and Willett both had contrasting final days, but both will be concerned by the way they putted in testing conditions.
Willett looked far off his best pace and cut a frustrated figure as he lost touch with the leading pack.
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