Cork, Ireland: Finland’s Mikko Ilonen drew inspiration from good friend and recent US Open champion Martin Kaymer to lead from start to finish in the Irish Open in Cork.
Despite an anxious last hole bogey, the 34-year-old shot a final round 70 on Sunday to win by a shot with a 13-under par tally on the sun-splashed Fota Island course. The win is Ilonen’s fourth Tour title while his €333,330 (Dh1.6 million) first prize cheque has sent him through the €5 million barrier in Tour earnings. And victory ensures Ilonen becomes the first-ever Finnish-born player to break into the top-50 on the world rankings.
“Well, it’s a very humbling moment to look at these great names on the trophy as there has been good winners of this tournament so it’s a big thing for me,” he said.
“And to get myself into the top-50 on the rankings was a goal of mine that I set up myself to achieve three years ago when I was off for six or eight months because of my ankle surgery.
“I’m on the third of that plan so it’s gone according to the plan but I need to win at least one more to get to my bigger goals.”
Ilonen revealed encouraging him all week was Kaymer, a recent wire-to-wire US Open winner.
“Martin and I are good friends and he has been texting me all week encouraging me on to win this week,” he said.
“And for me to win wire-to-wire, it was very much Martin Kaymer-inspired win.
“I sent a message to him last week that I really enjoyed watching golf. I very rarely enjoy watching golf; I would rather play golf, but Martin’s win inspired me. It was nice to keep that lead all the way.
“I am playing in Cologne next week so I am looking forward to catching-up with him.”
