Rory McIlroy suffered yet another heartache this season as he narrowly missed out on an Irish Open win on home soil.
McIlroy was in control at Royal County Down last week, but suffered a nightmare final round to lose out to Rasmus Hojgaard.
It did, of course, leave McIlroy feeling really disappointed, but he must put the disappointment behind him at the BMW PGA Championship.
He is among the star names at Wentworth this week for the next competition in the DP World Tour calendar, with McIlroy having loved the Irish Open support.
The Northern Irishman did, of course, suffer a similar Irish Open fate at the US Open at Pinehurst earlier this year.
Ian Poulter says if Rory McIlroy can win the Masters or another major
Having been on the verge of a first major win since 2014, McIlroy suffered a dramatic late collapse as Bryson DeChambeau lifted the trophy.
Bouncing back from such disappointments will be a real test of his character, but former PGA Tour star Ian Poulter believes a fifth major win for McIlroy isn’t too far away.
Asked on Al Arabiya English if he thinks McIlroy can win an elusive Masters title, Poulter said: “Rory is one of the best players in the world. He has been now for a very long time. He has been one of the most consistent golfers within the game for a long period of time.
“Yeah, he hasn’t won that major now for a long time and I’m sure it’s hurting him as much as it’s hurting his fans that want him to win another one.
“Rory is working tirelessly hard to get another major and I’m sure he will. He is a world-class player. He missed out this year to Bryson but he’s a great watch.
“People tune in to watch Rory play golf and that’s the exciting thing about golf right now, we have so many great players who have the opportunity to win majors, most of which play in the majors and some that don’t.”
What is Rory McIlroy’s major championship record?
McIlroy has been one of the best players in world golf for some time now, with the Northern Irishman boasting 26 PGA Tour wins.
But every year that passes without that elusive fifth major will undoubtedly be playing on his mind, with his last victory coming in 2014.
McIlroy, who is currently ranked third in the world, won the US Open in 2011, the PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014, and The Open Championship in 2014.
READ MORE: Who is Rory McIlroy? A closer look at one of the greatest golfers of all time
The former world number one certainly has nothing to prove on the course, but he will definitely be chasing a first major in over a decade next season.
The Masters will be on his wishlist for 2025, but so will The Open given that it will take place at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
McIlroy certainly has unfinished business back home, having not only finished second at last week’s Irish Open, but having also missed the cut when Royal Portrush hosted The Open in 2019.
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