Vincent Norrman earned his second DP World Tour title in as many months at the Horizon Irish Open, while Hurly Long swapped fears over losing his card for dreams of a Dubai return and Shane Lowry was upbeat after a strong showing on home soil.
Here is everything you need to know from a memorable week at The K Club.
Norrman charges to victory
Vincent Norrman made it back-to-back Swedish winners on the DP World Tour as he produced a bogey-free seven-under 65 to surge through the field and win by one shot from 54-hole leader Hurly Long.
A week after Ludvig Åberg won his first professional title in Switzerland, Norrman – a former international amateur teammate of the Ryder Cup rookie – celebrated his second DP World Tour titles in two months.
His first came in mid-July at the Barbasol Championship, co-sanctioned with the PGA TOUR, where he defeated European Challenge Tour graduate Nathan Kimsey in a play-off.
Norrman began the final round six shots adrift of Long but made six birdies in a remarkable eight-hole stretch from the seventh to surge into contention, either side of a 90-minute rain delay, before a two-putt birdie at the par-five 18th saw him set the clubhouse target at 14 under.
A lengthy wait ensued, during which Norrman headed to the range in case a play-off materialised, but his nearest rivals faltered down the stretch and Long was unable to conjure an eagle down the last to force extra holes.
“It means everything,” Norrman said.
“It’s such a cool event to play, the fans have been incredible and I really had a fun week out there.
"It was a long wait (for everyone to finish) but I’m super happy. I can’t believe this happened. I’m over the moon.”
Long falls short but makes big rankings move
While Long may have missed out on his maiden DP World Tour title, the German will reflect with overwhelming positivity about his performance in Ireland.
The 2021 Challenge Tour graduate impressed in his rookie campaign last year as he recorded seven top tens on his way to finishing 27th on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex.
However, things have not been so productive in 2023, and the 23-year-old arrived in the Emerald Isle in 150th place on the season-long standings and with fears over losing his full status on the Tour.
But, with joint-30th finishes at the Magical Kenya Open Presented by Absa and the Singapore Classic his best results so far, Long came close to his breakthrough moment on the DP World Tour.
He reached the clubhouse mark of 14 under with a birdie at the par three 12th, but back-to-back bogeys halted his tracks and settled for a closing birdie to seal a lucrative solo second finish.
As a result of his career-best finish on the DP World Tour, Long has climbed a mammoth 113 spots on the Race to Dubai to boost his hopes of a return to the DP World Tour Championship in November.
Lowry buoyed ahead of Wentworth defence
The Irish Open’s return to The K Club for the first time since 2016 had attracted a stellar field, including a host of former champions including Shane Lowry.
The 2019 Open Champion was among the home charge to receive excellent backing throughout the week and a closing 68 – featuring an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys – saw him finish in a four-way tie for third.
Lowry memorably won his national open as an amateur in 2009 and pushed hard to win it for a second time after losing ground with a level-par 72 in the third round.
However, with the defence of his BMW PGA Championship title at Wentworth Club to follow this week, Lowry is optimistic about his form following his first top 10 since the Honda Classic on the PGA TOUR in February.
The Irishman, who was named as a Captain’s Pick for the European Ryder Cup team last week, said: “I did my best and it’s been a great week.
“The crowds were incredible. It’s one of the best Irish Opens I can remember.
“All in all, it’s been a good week for me and a step in the right direction and I’ll be back to defend my (BMW PGA Championship) title at Wentworth next week, which is exciting as well.”
Power makes good start to life in the pro ranks
In his first start as a professional, and just days after representing Great Britain & Ireland at the Walker Cup, Mark Power showed his potential in County Kildare.
The 23-year-old impressed won three points out of four in a losing cause at St Andrews in his final appearance as an amateur but took plenty of confidence with him over to his home country.
Not content with making the cut at The K Club, Power followed a two-under 70 in the third round with a 72 on Sunday for his fourth level-par or better total over the week to finish in a tie for 33rd.
Fellow Walker Cup teammates John Gough, who was also making his professional debut, and amateur Alex Maguire both missed the cut.
Memories to cherish
When Horizon Therapeutics signed a six-year agreement in 2022 to become title sponsors of Ireland’s national open, Make-A-Wish Ireland were also appointed as the tournament’s Official Charity.
As part of their collaboration with the DP World Tour, seven-year-old golf enthusiast Michael Horgan enjoyed a magical experience that transcends the game.
Michael, who lives with a brain tumour, had wished for a personalised video message from four-time Major Champion McIlroy, but as shown in the video below, he got far more than that.
And the acts of compassion didn’t stop there as leading golfer with a disability Brendan Lawlor made a surprise visit to Conal Flynn, who lives with Achondroplasia which results in shortened limbs.
The pair also shared a round of golf together, before Flynn was invited to attend this week’s Horizon Irish Open where he met more of his heroes including Rory McIlroy and Padraig Harrington.
Horizon is a global biotechnology company driven by the simple idea that science and compassion must work together to transform lives.
