Rory McIlroy’s immediate reaction to latest near-miss speaks volumes about his character

Rory McIlroy’s tough season continued with another heartbreaking near miss at the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday, where Billy Horschel claimed the victory at Wentworth. Despite this latest setback, McIlroy remains optimistic that major wins are just around the corner.

McIlroy delivered a brilliant final round at Wentworth, shooting five-under-par, which included a spectacular eagle on the 17th hole. This performance forced him into a three-way playoff with Horschel and Thriston Lawrence, as all three were tied at 20-under-par. Lawrence was eliminated after the first playoff hole due to a bogey, while both McIlroy and Horschel secured birdies.

The final showdown saw the pair return to the 18th tee, where they engaged in a tense battle. Both set up mid-range eagle opportunities, and McIlroy, who had to putt first, saw his attempt narrowly miss the cup before tapping in for a birdie. Horschel then capitalized on his chance, sinking his eagle putt to secure his second BMW PGA Championship title, following his 2021 win. He became the only American to win the prestigious event twice.

This result marked another agonizing close call for McIlroy, who had just a week earlier missed out on the Irish Open title by a single shot to Rasmus Hojgaard. The disappointment compounds what has been a difficult season for the Northern Irishman, who is still seeking his first win of the year. His most significant missed opportunity came at the U.S. Open in June, where he failed to break a ten-year major drought.

However, McIlroy remains upbeat about his form and confident that success is on the horizon. Speaking to reporters after congratulating Horschel, McIlroy said: “Last week was a tough one. But this week, I leave with my head held high. I played the final hole the best I could, and I approached the playoff holes perfectly, making birdies.”

McIlroy had a chance to win the tournament outright in regulation after Lawrence finished with a par on the final hole. But his approach shot ended up just left of the water hazard, forcing him to pitch onto the green. His birdie attempt narrowly missed, leading to the playoff.

Reflecting on the level of competition, McIlroy acknowledged how unforgiving it can be: “It just shows the standard out here. If you slip up a little or miss a crucial birdie, someone else is ready to take advantage. I had my chance in regulation, but I was dealing with a tricky yardage for my second shot. I tried to turn a 4-iron over, and I was lucky it didn’t go in the water. I managed to get up and down to save par and make the playoff, but it wasn’t quite enough.”

Despite the recent frustrations, McIlroy remains positive. “Two weeks in a row, I’ve played really well, just not quite well enough. But I’m happy with where my game is and where it’s headed,” he added. McIlroy plans to take a short break before returning to action at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in two weeks’ time.