"Always waiting to take advantage"- Rory McIlroy loses second event in a row, wraps up disappointing performance at BMW PGA Championship
Following his playoff loss at the BMW PGA Championship, Rory McIlroy said that the standard of the game was such that opponents were always waiting to take advantage of errors. He mentioned that he had his chance in regulation but let it slip.
On Sunday, September 22, McIlroy fired a 5-under 67 to finish at 20-under, after four rounds of the BMW PGA Championship. He joined Thomas Lawrence and Billy Horschel in a three-way playoff. Lawrence exited after the first extra hole, and Horschel clinched the title with an eagle on the second playoff hole. This was McIlroy's second consecutive runner-up finish on the DP World Tour.
Speaking at the post-round interview, Rory McIlroy reflected on his performance.
"Last week was a tough one," he said. "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."
"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," he added.
The 35-year-old golfer added that he had played well in two straight weeks but wasn't good enough to get past the finishing line.
"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," he added.
What's next for Rory McIlroy?
Rory McIlroy will next compete at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, which will take place from October 3 to 6 at the Old Course, St. Andrews.
McIlroy has had a good season so far, but he has witnessed several heartbreaks, missing a few titles by narrow margins. He made eighteen cuts in nineteen starts on the PGA Tour and won two titles. However, he missed the U.S. Open trophy after losing to Bryson DeChambeau by one stroke. Notably, he was leading at Pinehurst with just five holes to go, but errors cost him his fifth major.
The four-time major champion also made four starts on the DP World Tour, winning one title and finishing runner-up in the other three.