Rory McIlroy will try to win the Irish Open for the second time in his career this week. The Ulsterman Since teeing off for the first time in 2010, McIlroy has passed on the Irish Open only thrice in his career. However, his record on home turf doesn’t reflect his passion. 

From his 11 appearances, McIlroy has only two top-tens. Before the 35-year-old tees off at Royal County Down, here are the most memorable moments from his decade-long relationship with the Irish Open.

2013 Irish Open Missed Cut

2013 was a roller-coaster ride for McIlroy. He landed at Carton House after a T41 at the U.S. Open. Starting with a 2-over 74 in the first round, McIlroy never really recovered. His Friday was better, an even-par 72, but two strokes short of the cut-line. The four-time major winner struggled off the tee and failed to make the most out of his comparably stronger iron game. Little did the world know this was the start of a horrendous streak at the Irish Open.

Home soil heartbreak for Rory McIlroy in 2015

Expectations were high from Rory McIlroy when he teed up at the 2015 Irish Open. At Royal County Down, in front of a boisterous home crowd, the Ulsterman opened with an 80. That proved to be the fatal blow amid a rain-soaked weekend in Northern Ireland. McIlroy tried to feed off the crowd and posted a level-par 71 on Friday. But of course, that was never going to be enough for a weekend spot.

The Irish Open started becoming a nightmare for Rory McIlroy

This was McIlroy’s fourth missed cut in five years. The Ulsterman was on the verge of cutline on Friday. He almost moved on the right side of the line before succumbing in the 6th at Portstewart and then carding a double bogey at the penultimate hole.

The worst part of that day was Rory McIlroy was hosting the tournament to draw more eyeballs and big names in the field. His playing mate, Jon Rahm went on to win the Irish Open, his first DP World Tour victory. 

The lone victory in 2016

The 2016 Irish Open was (and still is) Rory McIlroy’s only quantum of solace. There is no need to reiterate the importance of the occasion. On top of it, the final round of the 2016 Irish Open was a Rory McIlroy masterclass. 

Trailing Russell Knox by one shot with three holes left to pay, the four-time major winner made a spectacular birdie on the 16th to put pressure on the Scotsman. In the 72nd hole, the Ulsterman was one shot ahead of Knox. McIlroy went on to eagle the final hole to seal the victory once and for all. 

So, when McIlroy said this week that the 2024 Irish Open triumph will be one of the ‘biggest’ victories of his career, he wasn’t exaggerating it. The Ulsterman has cherished the opportunity of teeing up in front of the home crowd. Unfortunately, it has not rewarded him even-handedly. McIlroy, of course, believes fate would definitely change.