Finland’s Mikko Ilonen channelled his inner-Martin Kaymer to shoot a final round of 70 to complete an impressive wire-to-wire victory in the Irish Open at the Fota Island Resort in County Cork.
The 34-year-old’s fourth triumph on the European Tour came by a margin of one shot from resurgent Edoardo Molinari, who had shot through the field on Sunday courtesy of a closing 67.
The Italian, who has endured significant injury problems since being part of a victorious Ryder Cup team in 2010, set the clubhouse target at 12-under. But Ilonen would hold on to complete the win, despite finding trouble on the 18th hole.
Taking an iron off the tee on the closing par five, Ilonen would miss right into the trees, before eventually retaining his composure to hole-out for a six – his only bogey in the round – to ensure that he would enjoy a triumphant moment amidst the huge Irish crowds.
“It was very much a Martin Kaymer-inspired win,” he said. “I sent a message to him last week that I really enjoyed watching golf.”
Kaymer, of course, claimed a wire-to-wire victory of his own last week at Pinehurst No. 2 in the U.S. Open. Not normally a watcher, Ilonen’s attention was drawn to the German’s sparkling eight-shot triumph last week: “I very rarely enjoy watching golf; I would rather play golf, but Martin's win inspired me. It was nice to keep that lead all the way.”
Ilonen, like Kaymer, had started the tournament in imperious fashion, with an opening round of 64 setting a new course record at the venue that had hosted the Irish Open for the first time in 12 years. Following that brilliant performance on Thursday with rounds of 68 and 69, the Finn, who was making his 300th appearance on the European Tour, utilised his experience in producing a solid and composed display on Sunday.
“I made sure that I paced myself well and I'm not too quick with things and keep my head up no matter what happens, and I kept on doing the same thing all the time, tried to hit the fairway. I hit a lot of greens today and kept okay pace with my putting.”
Almost 100,000 spectators attended the tournament during the four tournament days, including 29,000 on Sunday, and the sight of those crowds will live with Ilonen for some time: “I looked back on the 18th green and I couldn't believe how many people there were. It's nice to see - it was a very humble moment.”
Those huge crowds were hoping to see Graeme McDowell claim his first professional victory in Ireland, but it would be a frustrating day for the Northern Irishman – who missed a succession of excellent birdie chances in a final round of 71 that saw him finish in a tie for sixth.
"Perhaps one of the worst putting weekends of my career when in contention," McDowell said. "I let a lot slip away yesterday and continued in the same vein today.
"So I'm kind of focusing on the big picture this week, looking at the summer and looking at the two Major Championships coming up and Ryder Cups and all kinds of fun things to look forward to. My game is in great shape and there are a lot of positives this week."
Edoardo Molinari’s runner-up finish secured a return into The Open Championship, with the top-three non-qualified players earning their place at Royal Liverpool via the new Qualifying Series. With Ilonen already qualified for the third major of the year via last year’s Race to Dubai, Danny Willett and Matthew Baldwin – who finished in a tie for third – also ensured that they would be competing in golf’s oldest championship.
Few will be looking forward more to Hoylake than Ilonen, who won the Amateur Championship there in 2000. He also finished 16th when The Open returned to the venue eight years ago, and is relishing a return to Merseyside in just over three weeks’ time.
"I've been thinking about it a lot since I qualified off the Order of Merit last year. I am looking forward to it and hope I can keep this run going. I would like to go in between those big crowds on Sunday, so that means I need to be a little bit better than 16th."
Indeed. He showed today that he can flourish between big crowds.