Finland’s Mikko Ilonen drew on inspiration generated by Martin Kaymer’s US Open victory to capture the Irish Open in his 300th start on the European Tour.

Ilonen’s fourth Tour title was a wire-to-wire effort at Fota Island Resort near Cork, a final-round 70 netting a one-stroke victory that was easier than the margin suggests. Armed with a one-stroke lead beginning the last round, the 34-year-old made two early birdies and spent most of the round three strokes clear. His only last-round bogey – on the 18th hole – was one he could afford and secured the title from a fast-finishing Edoardo Molinari.

Mikko Ilonen kisses the Trophy after winning the Irish Open. PHOTO: Getty Images Mikko Ilonen kisses the Trophy after winning the Irish Open. PHOTO: Getty Images

“It was very much a Martin Kaymer-inspired win,” Ilonen said. “I sent a message to him last week that I really enjoyed watching [his] 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 … It’s been a hard day’s work to keep that lead and luckily no one really made a run out of the last couple of groups.

“I looked back on the 18th green and I couldn’t believe how many people there were. It’s nice to see – it was a very humble moment.”

The Irish Open victory will lift the 63rd-ranked Finn to the cusp of the world’s top-50 and the slew of prestigious invitations that come with it. As the winner of the 2000 British Amateur at Royal Liverpool, he is also relishing the chance to return to the Hoylake layout next month, where he also finished equal 16th at the 2006 Open.

Molinari, meanwhile, secured one of three berths in the Open Championship on offer at Fota Island via the new Open Qualifying Series. English pair Matthew Baldwin and Danny Willett were the others to book starts at golf’s oldest major.

LEADERBOARD

1. Mikko Ilonen (Fin)   64-68-69-70—271

2. Edoardo Molinari (Ita)   67-69-69-67—272

T3. Matthew Baldwin (Eng)   67-71-66-69—273

T3. Kristoffer Broberg (Swe)   69-69-66-69—273

T3. Danny Willett (Eng)   73-66-63-71—273

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T49. Wade Ormsby (SA)   70-71-75-67—283

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