“I left there with my head held high”

On a day where fine margins tipped the scale, Rory McIlroy rued not making a birdie on the 72nd hole as his incredible year of near misses continued at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

McIlroy’s second to the 18th in regulation fortunately came up short of the water hazard at the front of the green and he was unable to get up and down for what would have been a winning birdie. Two birdies at the 73rd and 74th holes weren’t enough as Billy Horschel eagled the second playoff hole to become the latest player to snatch victory from McIlroy.

“I mean, you know, last week was a tough one. I left there with my head held high with the way I played the last hole trying to make three, and then yeah, I mean, played the playoff holes perfectly, really, a couple of birdies,” reflected McIlroy who was second to Rasmus Hojgaard at the Irish Open.

“But it just shows the standard out here. If you slip up just a little bit or don’t make a birdie on a crucial hole, someone is always waiting to take advantage of that and look, I had my chance in regulation. Had a really awkward yardage for my second. Tried to turn a 4-iron over. I mean, I was lucky that it didn’t go in the water. Still got up-and-down to win in regulation but I was pretty lucky the ball stayed up and I could make par and get into the playoff.

“Two weeks in a row, I’ve played well. Just not quite well enough. But you know, happy with where my game is and happy where it’s trending. I’ve got a week off here, and then get back at it in the Dunhill in a couple weeks.”

Horschel, who was not selected for the USA Presidents Cup side next week proved that perhaps he warranted a pick from Jim Furyk with his second BMW PGA title.

Horschel was sheepish in his celebration as his eagle putt dropped after McIlroy’s shaved the edge.

“I mean I’m thrilled, excited for the way I played,” the 37-year-old said. “It was a battle out there today and at the same time a little bit disappointed, Rory is a good friend of mine and I think the world of him.

“I think he’s a generational talent and I know how close he’s been this year so I can feel for him, but at the same time I’m pretty excited for being able to get it done today.

“I had to have a little bit of luck. After the bogey at 15, I knew I was a little behind the eight ball. Thriston didn’t birdie the last two par fives so it gave us an opening.

“Listen, Rory could have easily birdied the last hole, he was in prime position to. So a lot of luck on my side to get this victory today.

“I grind my butt off, I always do and always will. I got at every shot, I ground it out and did that today. I hit some really good shots out there and made some really good putts, that’s what you have to do when you aren’t firing on all cylinders.”