Rory McIlroy Shoots Final-Round 67 in Irish Open Defense

Rory McIlroy shot 3-under 67 in the final round of the Amgen Irish Open at Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg on Sunday, closing out his title defense with the best round of a difficult week. He finished the tournament at 1-under par for four rounds.

How did McIlroy's final round unfold?

McIlroy made seven birdies in the round, several of them in a run around the front nine and the turn. A bogey at the 12th was followed by a double bogey at the 16th and another bogey at the 17th, before a closing birdie at the 18th trimmed the damage. Live scoring placed him in a tie for around 41st or 42nd, a position still moving as the last groups played out behind him.

What did McIlroy say about his game?

McIlroy pointed to his iron play as the week's clearest improvement and said his putting had cost him any real chance to contend. Looking ahead to next week, he said: "I don't feel too far away." The good stuff was tour standard all week, and so were the mistakes that came with it.

The good stuff was tour standard all week, and so were the mistakes that came with it.

McIlroy defended a title he won in dramatic fashion twelve months ago, holing a 28-foot eagle putt at the 72nd hole at The K Club to force a playoff before beating Joakim Lagergren at the third extra hole. This time he never got close, finishing well behind overnight leader Shane Lowry, who carried a lead of at least 15 shots into the final round.

What's next for McIlroy?

McIlroy heads to the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth next week, a course he knows well and has previously won on. He said he plans to spend time on the practice putting green before the tournament begins.