The 2023 Horizon Irish Open final round saw a four-way tie at the top. Vincent Normann was at 13 under par, Grant Forrest at 12 under, Hurly long at 11 and Ryan Fox at 10 under.
Min Woo Lee, Jordan Smith, Shubhankar Singh, Shane Lowry, and Connor Syme were all two shots behind.
Vincent Norrman was on track for a spectacular finish. He bogeyed his 13th hole each of the three first rounds of the first PGA Tour tournament he played in July but he birdied it on Sunday. It was one of seven birdies accumulated in a bogey free, 7-under-65 final round. He began the day six shots behind but made six birdies in an eight-hole span on Nos. The 7th through 14th holes to get into the mix.
Vincent Norrman hits his second shot at the 18th green during the final round of the 2023 Horizon Irish Open held at The K Club, Kildare in Ireland. (Photo: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images).
Norrman ended his day by making a birdie at 18 to walk off the course in a tie for the lead with 14 under. He then played the game of waiting. He was watching the final moments of the tournament with his phone at the practice putting area, and he waited to see if Long would eagle that par-5 hole to force a play-off.
Long was unable to drain the eagle-putt and Norrman won by one shot. Norrman has now won two times in his 14th appearance at the DP World Tour.
Norrman told reporters after his game, “It’s everything.” It’s a great event to be able to participate in. The fans were incredible. “I’ve had a great week.”
The second time in a week, a Swedish player wins on the DP World Tour. Ludvig berg won the Omega European Masters just seven days before.
Long was the sole second place finisher at 13 under. Forrest, Fox Lowry, and Thriston Lauren tied for third place at 12 under.
McIlroy’s back nine was a disaster on Sunday. He had a good start to the day, but he sunk his approach shot into a stream at the 11th. This led to a bogey. After birding the 13th, he tried to reach the 16th par-5 in two but hit another ball into water. This led to a triple-bogey. McIlroy shot a 74, tied for 13th place, a day after he posted a 66.
Norrman stated, “Obviously if one wins, they are doing something right.” “This is a world class event and I honestly can’t believe that it has happened.”
Next week, the DP World Tour BMW PGA Championship will be held at Wentworth.
