It's another weekend and another heartbreak for Rory McIlroy as the Holywood man fell foul to an outstanding Billy Horschel eagle on the second playoff hole at the BMW PGA Championship in Surrey on Sunday.
McIlroy had been heading up the 18th two shots off the lead, when an outstanding eagle putt, saw him go co-leader and into a three-way playoff with Billy Horschel and Thriston Lawrence.
This was some putt from Mr Rory McIlroypic.twitter.com/ALkB9spuyJ
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) September 22, 2024
While one playoff hole proved enough to eliminate Lawrence, nothing could separate the cool and calm of McIlroy and Horschel as a birdie each sent them back to the 18th for a second playoff hole.
While measurements were required to decide who would putt first, McIlroy's eagle putt was marginally too high, with his tap-in birdie that followed not enough to overcome the class of Billy Horschel.
Billy Horschel EAGLES the second play-off hole to win the BMW PGA Championship 🏆 pic.twitter.com/vdsCvdC9JO
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) September 22, 2024
READ ALSO: The Staggering Difference In Earnings Between Jon Rahm And Rory McIlroy This Season
Billy Horschel pays Rory McIlroy ultimate praise after playoff classic
When speaking immediately after sinking that eagle putt, Horschel nearly immediately spoke of the Irish golfer, his friend, and how he felt 'a little bit disappointed' to win.
"I know I'm not from the UK or London or England, but I feel almost at home when I come here."
Billy ❤️ Wentworth #BMWPGA | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/DNNcxJtZ8y— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 22, 2024
While McIlroy's seemingly never-ending dry run rumbles on, Billy Horschel had no doubt about just how good he was, claiming he is the best golfer of the generation.
I told him after 17, I said, "I had a feeling you were going to make that." Just because he's been so close the last two days, playing with him, he had not had that big moment yet, and that was that big moment (17th hole Eagle).
Yeah, he's a really good friend. We go back to Walker Cup in 2007, our head-to-head days. I think the world of him. I think he's the best player in our generation.
He's done so much for the game. You see the support he has here; you see the support he has around the world. He has the most crowds and supporters outside of Tiger Woods. He's great I think for the game of golf. He does so many great things.
Speaking after the tournament, McIlroy revealed his excitement for the future in knowing that he was competing at the top level, all while trying to improve his swing.
I think if keep working on the things I'm working on, on the range that only bodes well for the future. To be able to work on my swing but still go out there and have a really good chance to win, I'm really proud of that.
I'm excited for the future, I'm playing well, I keep giving myself chances, only two people have beat me in the last two weeks, or not even..one person I guess in terms of scores. Happy with how I'm playing, so just have to dust myself off.
"I'm excited for the future" 🤩
Rory McIlroy reacts after finishing second at a DP World Tour event two weeks in a row pic.twitter.com/Wvzx8ld40Z
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) September 22, 2024
Today's loss will undoubtedly sting for McIlroy, who also fell marginally short at the Irish Open last weekend, as well as at countless other tournaments this season including the US Open and the Olympics.
SEE ALSO: Surreal Club Snap Had Unexpected Effect On Rory McIlroy At Wentworth
