Rory McIlroy has no real alternative but to adopt a stoical approach to a year of near misses. A different stance would be problematic, not only for his state of mind but anyone or anything within striking distance at the conclusion of tournaments. McIlroy believes the dam will break soon.
The US Open provided the most painful denouement of 2024 for the world No 3. At the Dubai Invitational, Olympics, Irish Open and now PGA Championship he at least flirted with glory. Two victories, the last coming in Charlotte in May, feel like scant reward for his overall level of golf.
Seven days on from falling short at Royal County Down, this time it was Billy Horschel who pipped the Northern Irishman on day four at Wentworth. It took two holes of a playoff – Thriston Lawrence had been eliminated after one – for the American to see off McIlroy’s typically stiff challenge. Horschel claimed this event for a second time.
All eyes, though, were inevitably drawn towards McIlroy. In the final hole of regulation play, a birdie four would have secured the win. From the centre of the 18th fairway, he tugged his four-iron to the left. With the opportunity gone, McIlroy had to settle for 20 under par and extra holes.
In the first of those, Lawrence found water with his third to all but end his quest. McIlroy and Horschel traded fours.
Having gone back to the tee, McIlroy and Horschel were both left with close to 30ft after two. The former’s putt slid agonisingly past, Horschel rolled his in.
If McIlroy really is wounded by going close so many times, he is masking it exceptionally well.
“Look, it’s golf and I’m playing well,” the 35-year-old said. “These things happen. It’s just the game is testing me a little more than it has done in the past but that’s fine. All I can do is keep showing up and trying to play the golf that I’ve been playing and sooner or later it’s going to end up in a win.
“The nice thing is there’s next year and the year after and the year after and the year after. If you think of my career as a 30-year journey, it’s only one year in a 30-year journey, and hopefully the other 29 are a little more productive or a little bit better. I have certainly had years where I’ve felt worse.
“When you get yourself in contention so much, inevitably you’re going to have disappointments. Unfortunately I’m just getting a little too used to feeling what it’s like when you do and hopefully that tide will turn.”
McIlroy will return to action in the Dunhill Links Championship before back-to-back events in the Middle East. The year seems at least destined to end with glory; he should prevail in the DP World Tour’s order of merit for a sixth time. “When I show up at a golf tournament, I sort of know that the field has to beat me to have a chance to win,” he added. “That’s how it feels. So that’s a pretty good position to be in.”
Horschel, with his West Ham golf bag, is like an adopted Englishman. He will regard this as a point made to Jim Furyk, who overlooked him for a place on the US Presidents Cup team.
“My heart was pounding on the last couple shots, the last couple holes, and especially in the playoff but it’s always fun being in those situations,” said Horschel, who won this event three years ago.
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“That’s what we work so hard for. That’s what I’ve worked so hard for and that’s what I’ve always wanted, situations like that going against the best players in the world and hopefully be able to come out on top on the day. I was able to nip Rory and Thriston.
“It’s always one of my most special weeks of the year. I enjoy coming here. I feel a sense of ease. I feel a sense of calm.”
Matteo Manassero had faltered to a 73, his 17 under leaving him three shy of the playoff. Aaron Rai, who tied the lead at one point, and Matthew Baldwin joined the Italian in a share of fourth.
