Have you finally got your breath back after that afternoon at Royal County Down?

It's rarely dull when it comes to Rory McIlroy on the fairways.

Four shots ahead after opening with two immediate birdies, McIlroy by his own admission thought he was in "in control" of the Irish Open only for victory to slip away in similar fashion to his heartbreaking US Open collapse three months ago.

Congratulations to Rasmus Hojgaard. He had more than a degree of good fortune in chipping in twice on his back nine but held his nerve down the closing hole to get the birdie four which ultimately clinched victory as he signed for a superb six-under-par 65.

Thanks for your company over the weekend during our live text commentaries from Royal County Down.

Don't forget our TV highlights on BBC Two NI and the BBC iPlayer this evening at 22:00 BST.

Despite their disappointment, the McIlroy faithful will undoubtedly remain just that - faithful - and will spend the autumn and winter looking forward to cheering him on again at next year's Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

Best wishes and enjoy the remainder of your weekend.

Image source, Inpho

Rory McIlroy rued his costly bogeys on 15 and 17 as he made no attempt to hide his disappointment after being pipped for Irish Open victory by Rasmus Hojgaard.

"I felt like I was in control of the tournament for most of the day. I felt I was playing really solid and doing what I needed to do. Making a lot of pars, making the odd birdie," said the home hero.

"Then obviously the two bogeys on 15 and 17 opened the door for someone to have a good finish like what Rasmus did on the last few holes.

"Missing the green right on 15 is the place you can’t go and then I just misjudged the pace with the first putt on 17.

"Overall obviously really disappointed that I didn’t’ win but I’ll try to take the positives and move on next week to Wentworth."

Despite his disappointment, McIlroy hailed the support of the home fans.

"That roar when I hit that second shot on 18 was pretty cool. The support I got out there this week was absolutely amazing.

"I’ve had a great time being home. It’s been too long. I need to keep coming back more often.

"From where I was at the start of the week and what I wanted to do, it’s a step in the right direction. And if anything it just whets my appetite even more for [the Open Championship at] Portrush next year."

Image source, Getty Images

Rasmus Hojgaard looks a little stunned as he is interviewed following his dramatic triumph at Royal County Down.

"It was a hard watch in the end. I had a number today that I tried to reach and that was eight [under par]," the Dane told Sky Sports.

"Obviously coming in on nine [under] was gold. I’m so happy. The game has been trending for a while now. To get this one is massive."

Asked about his remarkable chip-ins on 10 and 17, Hojgaard replied: "On 10 I got away with a good lie. Thought I hit a great chip there. It maybe would have been five or six feet past but then there was a flag in the way.

"I thought I might get a plugged lie in the bunker [on 17] but it was an open lie and to hole it was key [to the victory].

"It couldn’t come at a better time. There are some great events at this time of the season. I’m a step closer to my goal now [of joining brother Nicolai on the PGA Tour] and can’t wait for the rest of the year now."

Image source, Getty Images

All the headlines will be generated by this latest heartbreaking near miss for Rory McIlroy but huge credit must go to Hojgaard following his remarkable closing 65 which included those two back-nine chip-ins.

Once again at Royal County Down, we have a Danish winner in the Irish Open after Soren Kjeldsen's 2015 triumph.

It's not to be for Rory McIlroy as his eagle putt slides by the hole. He looks absolutely devastated as he acknowledges applause from the home crowd.

Rasmus Hojgaard is the 2024 Irish Open champion - helped by two remarkable chip-ins on his closing nine.

McIlroy looked an odds-on winner when he birdied the opening two holes to lead by four but missed crucial short birdie putts at the eighth and ninth and seemed to lose his momentum.

Then in a conclusion reminiscent of his faltering finish at the US Open, he bogeyed the 15th and 17th following mistakes which allowed the Dane to clinch the title.

He didn't quite challenge as much as he would have hoped but a birdie to finish for the Italian after a nice chip from the back of the green.

Now here comes Rory...

Leader Rasmus Hojgaard is watching the action on a TV screen. He looks remarkably calm considering the circumstances.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI at Royal County Down

What a roar.

If he makes that, this place will go wild.

McIlroy has just given himself a realistic chance of forcing a play-off by playing a sensational 191-yard eight-iron shot to about 20 feet. It he holes it, we're into extra-time.

Suddenly the crowd finds it voice again. Prepare for remarkable sporting emotion over the next couple of minutes.

A solid round from Robert MacIntyre sees him finish with a birdie on the last hole. He never really threatened the leaders but looks as though he will finish in a tie for fifth with his countryman Grant Forrest.

He had an eagle putt which came close and maybe showing Rory McIlroy the line he needs to take...

MacIntyre's playing partner Jordan Smith also finishes with a birdie for a level par 71 for three under overall. A positive finish after his mid-round collapse.

We've only had one eagle on the 18th today but McIlroy has given himself a chance at achieving the unlikely feat by bombing a drive way down the fairway.

Individual fans are trying to encourage himself as he walks off the 18th tee but the home faithful appear stunned.

Rasmus Hojgaard is greeted by his twin brother Nicolai as he enters the clubhouse to watch Rory McIlroy take on this 18th hole.

A stunning six-under-par round has seen the Dane power up the leaderboard and he hit form at the perfect time today to hold a two-shot lead.

Does McIlroy have anything left in the tank?

Wow.....Rory McIlroy has missed his par putt which was all of 10 feet and now needs an eagle on the par-five 18th to force a play-off. He needed to hole a four-footer for bogey to keep any slim hopes alive.

This is almost shades of his US Open implosion. Suddenly the crowd has gone very quiet at Royal County Down.

What a stunning final round from Rasmus Hojgaard. He does indeed finish with his eighth birdie of the day as he finishes with three in a row to take the clubhouse lead a shot ahead of Rory McIlroy.

I said an eagle was probably beyond him but Rasmus Hojgaard nearly proved me wrong!

His ball lands inches from the hole and it will almost certainly be a birdie on the last to take him to nine under.

Oh my goodness......Rory McIlroy has rushed his long-range birdie putt on 17 at least eight feet past. With Hojgaard looking certain to move to nine under he has surely got to make the return putt.

A superb recovery from Rasmus Hojgaard after his wayward tee shot. It has left him just on the edge of the green on this par-five final hole.

An eagle is probably beyond him but a birdie to take him to nine under is very much on the cards.

He doffs his cap to the substantial crowd as he walks up the fairway towards his ball.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI at Royal County Down

This has turned into a real nail-biter but it's brilliant entertainment.

The last thing McIlroy needs is more scar-tissue after the near-misses he's had this season.

Huge 25 minutes or so coming up for him.

Rasmus Hojgaard's sole lead lasted only a couple of minutes as McIlroy has got up and down for birdie on the short par-four 16th.

Perhaps with the adrenaline still flowing through his veins, Rasmus Hojgaard has sent his drive on 18 into the long grass on the right.

The drive was met with an almost-immediate cry of "fore right" from the Dane as the crowds duck and cover.

Could that mistake cost him?