Irish challenge

Joakim Lagergren sealed the 2024 Irish Challenge with a stunning closing eagle to claim a one-stroke victory. The 32-year-old Swede stood one shot off the lead entering the final round but delivered a composed 4-under 68 on the Palmer South Course to finish at 16 under par, narrowly edging out France’s Sébastien Gros.

Lagergren’s round was highlighted by a dramatic hole-out bunker shot for eagle on the 18th—his final stroke—which proved decisive. He navigated a front nine bogey, added two birdies on the back nine, and then executed that brilliant eagle to secure victory.

“It was a pretty tough bunker shot playing downwind, but I managed to execute it perfectly. To see it drop in was special,” said Lagergren after sinking that iconic 72nd‑hole shot .

Northern Irishman Mark Power finished as the leading Irish player, earning the Christy O’Connor Jnr Memorial Trophy and a qualifying spot in the Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down. England’s Brandon Robinson-Thompson came in third at 13 under, with Scotland’s Ryan Lumsden and Sweden’s Björn Åkesson completing the top five.