The overnight leader by two, McIlroy saw his lead extended to four in the early stages on Sunday at Royal County Down as he looked to claim the Irish Open for the second time in his career.
But the four-time major champion made two costly bogeys on 15 and 17 to open the door for Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard who made four birdies in his last five holes to card a final-round 65.
Needing an eagle on the par-five last to match Hojgaard’s score of -9, McIlroy produced a stellar iron shot from the fairway but saw the resulting putt slide by to lose by one.
It marks the latest near-miss for the 35-year-old who has also squandered great opportunities at the US Open and Olympics in recent months.
‘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,’ the Northern Irishman reflected.
‘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.
‘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.’
For Hojgaard, meanwhile, victory sees the Dane claim his fifth win on the DP World Tour and move a step closer to securing his PGA Tour for next season.
‘It was a hard watch in the end. I had a number today that I tried to reach and that was eight [under par],’ he 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.
‘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.’
Italy’s Matteo Manassero finished third on seven under par with England’s Dan Brown a further shot back in fourth. Scottish duo Grant Forrest and Robert MacIntyre both finished on -4 to round out the top five.
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