Rory McIlroy faced disappointment again after losing in the playoff at the BMW PGA Championship. His opponent was the impressive Billy Horschel, who had previously won this tournament three years ago. McIlroy lost on the second playoff hole at Wentworth.
After missing out on victories at the US Open and the Irish Open, Rory experienced a similar fate here. Golf experts are surprised about what’s holding him back and whether his past results have left a lasting impact on him. However, McIlroy didn’t seem overly disappointed after the tournament; he reflected positively on his performance at the Irish Open.
In a media interview, McIlroy mentioned that he had a tough week but played well for two weeks in a row, although it wasn’t enough to secure a win. From his comments, it’s clear that Rory wants to maintain a positive mindset and views these experiences as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks.
“Last week was a tough one but I left there with my head held high with the way I played the last hole trying to make three,” – he said, as quoted by BBC.
“Two weeks in a row I’ve played well. Just not quite well enough. The game is testing me a little more than it has done in the past, but that’s fine.”
Rory said that if someone had told him he would shoot 20 under par at Wentworth, he would have gladly accepted it. He emphasized that all he can do is keep showing up and playing his game, believing that eventually, it will lead to a win.
He mentioned that he played the playoff holes really well, making a couple of birdies. However, he noted that the competition is tough; if you make even a small mistake or miss a crucial birdie opportunity, there’s always someone ready to take advantage of it.
It’s clear from his comments that performances like these don’t stress him out or make him fear for the future. He has shown he’s a player with the potential to achieve great things soon. The Northern Irishman doesn’t see these moments as losses; instead, he views them as lessons and opportunities to learn something important.
Rory McIlroy© Ten Golf / Youtube Channel
A 35-year-old golfer doesn’t want to feel frustrated or disappointed because finishing second in any tournament is still a massive achievement. While it’s true that first place is what people remember, Rory is very close to finding that winning streak and breaking the “curse” he’s been facing, as some might say.
For the past ten years, he hasn’t managed to win a major, even though he came really close this year. The pressure from the media and fans is clearly a big part of the story, but Rory wants to shift his mindset.
At times, the experienced golfer doesn’t want to be falsely positive, knowing that things could have turned out very differently. However, he believes this situation isn’t as disastrous as it might seem. He emphasizes that the next year offers him a chance to elevate his game and start delivering on the expectations placed on him.
“It could have been a different year but the nice thing is there’s next year and the year after and the year after and the year after.”- he said.
The PGA Tour golfer made an interesting statement, stressing that if you view his career as a 30-year journey, then one year doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. He points out that the upcoming year could offer opportunities for better results and a chance to meet fans’ expectations.
Billy Horschel reacts: Rory is a really good friend of mine
His colleague, who performed better in the final, took the time to congratulate McIlroy, someone he knows well and considers a good friend outside of golf. Horschel is delighted with his success but admitted he doesn’t feel great about his friend’s loss, especially as McIlroy has been facing a lack of luck for some time. The American, however, seized the opportunity in front of him and won the trophy.
“I am thrilled, excited for the way I played,” said Horschel.
“At the same time, I am a little disappointed. Rory is a really good friend of mine, he is a generational talent, and he has been so close this year.”
The 38-year-old golfer acknowledged that he couldn’t hide his excitement after such an achievement. It seems that Billy didn’t have huge expectations going into the tournament, but things turned out much better for him than he anticipated. He gave it his all and recognized that every risk he took and every desire he had paid off.