Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy were both eager to look forward after completing their weeks at the 2021 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
The headline duo may not have had quite the weeks they were aiming for at Mount Juliet Estate but they certainly delighted the limited home crowds, taking hundreds with them down the fairways on all four days.
Lowry's next action will be his long awaited defence of the Claret Jug at Royal St George's Golf Club and after carding a closing 66 - his lowest round of the week - to get to nine under, the 34-year-old was looking forward to getting some links practice under his belt.
"More like it is right," he said. "That's probably why I've been so frustrated over the first few days because I feel like I have that round in me.
"It was an easy six under today. Nothing really special. It was kind of one of those days where it probably could have been better.
I'm excited and looking forward to playing some links golf in Ireland here next week and looking forward to getting over to St. George's on Monday
"Happy with a little bit of confidence to take into my week off before Royal St. George's.
"I'm excited and looking forward to playing some links golf in Ireland here next week and looking forward to getting over to St George's on Monday.
"The week, it will be nice, obviously I'm there to defend. I'm there to play good golf and I'm there to finish as high up as I can and everything that goes with defending an Open is going to be there and it's going to be new for me so I'll have to learn quickly.
"I'll be fine I think. I'm used to having that kind of label on my head and it's fine. I'll just go there and be myself and play my own game and hopefully it's good enough to have a chance at the weekend."
McIlroy was not as pleased with his week in County Kilkenny after going 73-74 over the weekend finish at two under, but he was glad to have a Rolex Series test coming up at the abrdn Scottish Open.
"I'm happy that I added the Scottish Open in just to get a feel for some links golf," he said. "I haven't played a links course in nearly two years. So it will be nice to get back on a links and get familiar with it again.
"I certainly don't feel as good about where I'm at compared to where I was after the U.S. Open.
"But I've got another week to get ready and prepare, and I obviously want to play well next week as well and have a chance to win. There's nothing better than preparing for a Major Championship by getting into contention the week before.
"But I need to work pretty hard on my game the next few days before heading into the Scottish Open."
