Rory McIlroy bested inclement weather conditions and a fiercely competitive field to win the Irish Open, hosted by The Rory Foundation, and claim his first victory of the season.
Cheered by passionate Irish fans at the famed K Club in County Kildare, McIlroy secured the win on the final three holes.
Standing with a one-shot deficit on the par-five 16th hole, he fired an awe-inspiring shot with a Nike Vapor Speed fairway metal from 271 yards to the green, walking off with a two-putt birdie. 
A par four followed before a precise 253-yard approach to the par-five 18th nestled two feet from the cup. 
McIlroy holed out for eagle to win the tournament by three strokes.
“I don’t know if I can put it into words,” said world number three McIlroy.
“As you’ve seen over the years, I don’t really get emotional when I win but I was trying to hold back the tears there on the 18th green. 
“I looked up, saw all my friends and family, and to win in front of them — I don’t get a chance to play in front of my home fans very often — so to play like that and to finish like that… I’ll never forget it.”
The tournament was hosted by The Rory Foundation, a non-profit charitable trust that seeks to advance opportunity and lasting change for children suffering from ill health, who are unfairly disadvantaged or vulnerable to life’s circumstances. 
McIlroy will be donating his winner’s prize fund to the foundation.
“The ovation I got when the ball landed on the 16th green sent shivers down my spine. It’s just incredible to play in front of these crowds; they’re so knowledgeable about their golf and, come rain or shine, they come out in droves to support. 
“For everyone who is watching at home and everyone who is here, thank you for supporting this event. It means an awful lot to the players, but it means an awful lot to everyone else and buying a ticket this week goes a long way to helping children who really need it,” said McIlroy.
R&A knocks 16-time Open venue off rota
Muirfield will not stage another Open Championship all the while it continues to ban lady golfers from becoming members.
The privately owned Scottish links, which hosted the first of its 16 Opens in 1892, revealed last week that its members had voted against allowing women to join.
To admit women, the East Lothian course run by The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers needed two thirds (432) of its 648 eligible voters to back the move.
Of the 616 members that eventually voted, only 397 (64%) voted for the resolution.
As a result, the R&A said it would not stage an Open “at a venue that does not admit women as members.”
Well done to the R&A for taking a decision that is long overdue.
Junior Summer Camps at Enniskillen Golf Club
During the months of July and August Mc Cool Golf Academy will be hosting a series of Junior Golf Camps at Enniskillen Golf Club. Everyone welcome,for more details call the Pro Shop on 028 66325250 or email liam@thegolfcabin.co.uk