Rory McIlroy Eager to Overcome Irish Open Disappointment with Strong Performance at BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth | Golf News

Rory McIlroy insists he has mentally recovered from seeing a fairy-tale Irish Open victory slip via his fingers and is keen to get “back on the horse” at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth – stay on Sky Sports from Thursday.

McIlroy seemed heading in the right direction to declare his first skilled win on dwelling soil on Sunday when main by two photographs with 4 holes to play at Royal County Down, simply an hour from the place he grew up.

But whereas Rasmus Hojgaard accomplished an excellent closing 65 with 4 birdies within the final 5 holes – together with three in a row from the sixteenth – McIlroy bogeyed the fifteenth and seventeenth and missed an eagle putt on the 18th that will have pressured a play-off.

“I'm glad for the opportunity to get back on the horse again,” McIlroy mentioned at Wentworth, the place he gained the title in 2014.

“I feel there could also be a false impression that it hit me tougher than it perhaps did. I did not actually really feel like I essentially misplaced the match. I felt like Rasmus went out and gained it – shot 31 on the again 9.

“I should not have missed the inexperienced proper on 15 and I misjudged the primary putt on 17. But trying again on Sunday and the help of the crowds and that scene on 18 and every part, it was wonderful to be part of.

“Obviously I'm simply attempting to search for the positives in all of it however I'm pleased to be right here at Wentworth, the solar is shining, there's not many higher locations to be.

“My sport is feeling prefer it's in fairly fine condition and I really feel like I've one other likelihood to win a very massive match which means quite a bit to me.

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McIlroy added: “It feels like quite a long time since I won at Quail Hollow back in May, and I've come close here a couple of times. I was second to Francesco [Molinari] in 2018, second to Shane [Lowry] in 2022.

“My type at this match over the previous few years has been superb so it will be good to simply get one other win on the board.

“It would just be wonderful to give myself another chance. Every Sunday that I get myself into contention is an opportunity but also a day to test myself and learn from the good, the bad and everything else.”

Ahead of his opening spherical on Thursday – stay protection of featured teams is from 8.30am on Sky Sports Golf – McIlroy appeared to be struggling with a nagging cough throughout his pre-tournament press convention.

“I'm okay, I feel a bit better than I was,” McIlroy mentioned, revealing the wrongdoer to be his daughter Poppy.

“Poppy's had a cough for a couple of weeks, gave it to me last week. I started feeling pretty rough Monday, Tuesday, so I went to the doctor, I'm on a course of antibiotics and I feel, energy-wise, better than I did.

“I'll be a bit wheezy this week however nothing I can not deal with.”

McIlroy will companion Ryder Cup team-mate Justin Rose and defending champion Ryan Fox within the first two rounds at Wentworth as he bids to enhance his lead at the highest of the Race to Dubai.

A sixth money-list title would take McIlroy stage with Seve Ballesteros and inside two of record-holder Colin Montgomerie, who gained seven in a row from 1993-1999 and his eighth in 2005.

Watch the BMW PGA Championship stay on Sky Sports Golf

Thursday, September 19

8.30am to 12pm – Featured Groups

12pm to 6pm – Full stay protection

Friday, September 20

8.30am to 12pm – Featured Groups

12pm to 6pm – Full stay protection

Saturday, September 21

8.30am to 12pm – Featured Groups

12pm to 6pm – Full stay protection

Sunday, September 22

8.30am to 12pm – Featured Groups

12pm to 6pm – Full stay protection

Watch the BMW PGA Championship on Sky Sports. Live protection begins on Thursday with Featured Groups from 8.30am forward of full protection from noon on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the DP World Tour and more with NOW.