It was yet more heartbreak for Rory McIlroy today as he lost out in a second playoff hole to the brilliant Billy Horschel at the BMW PGA Championship.
The popular duo had managed to see off the fight of Matteo Manassero and then in the first playoff hole, saw off Thriston Lawrence to ensure it went further.
Hitting near identical drives, both Horschel and McIlroy found the green over water before McIlroy tickled just wide with his eagle attempt before Horschel holed a stunning putt to win.
Much like the US and Irish Opens, it was agonisingly close for McIlroy.
But rather than looking at it from a negative, McIlroy has suggested that his game is in a good place and in the end, he was arguably a touch fortunate to send it to a playoff anyway.
Rory McIlroy says why he got ‘lucky’ during round four of the BMW PGA Championship
Speaking to the media immediately after his round, McIlroy assessed his game and admitted he was lucky to get the chance to send things to a playoff in the end.
“Yeah, I mean, you know, last week was a tough one. This one — but I left there with my head held high with the way I played the last hole trying to make three, and then yeah, I mean, played the playoff holes perfectly, really, a couple of birdies,” McIlroy said.
“But it just shows the standard out here. If you slip up just a little bit or don’t make a birdie on a crucial hole, someone is always waiting to take advantage of that and look, I had my chance in regulation.
“Had a really awkward yardage for my second. Tried to turn a 4-iron over. I mean, I was lucky that it didn’t go in the water. Still got up-and-down to win in regulation but I was pretty lucky the ball stayed up and I could make par and get into the playoff.
“Two weeks in a row, I’ve played well. Just not quite well enough. But you know, happy with where my game is and happy where it’s trending. I’ve got a week off here, and then get back at it in the Dunhill in a couple weeks.”
McIlroy will be desperate to get a win under his belt before officially calling time on the season for 2024.
He is playing some excellent golf and after coming up short so many times, he’ll be keen to go into 2025 in a positive mindset.
The Dunhill is another big chance for him to win and if he does, it will go down nicely after the last couple of weeks.
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