2024 has been the year of so close, yet so far for Rory McIlroy.
On Sunday, the latest saga involved a playoff against Billy Horschel, a fellow past champion of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club in Surrey, England. But the final sentence was the same.
Horschel topped McIlroy on the second playoff hole to win, making an eagle putt on the par-5 18th. His eagle attempt went right in the center of the cup. McIlroy’s barely missed right.
Horschel had to birdie the 18th in regulation to get into a playoff with McIlroy and Thriston Lawrence, who hit his third shot in the water on the first playoff hole and didn’t make it to the second playoff hole.
McIlroy had a chance to win it in regulation, but his birdie attempt missed low. Both Horschel and McIlroy made birdie on the first playoff hole, but it’s Horschel taking the title and adding another what-if to McIlroy’s 2024 season.