Oh what might need been for the 35-year-old from Holywood in a season that has yielded three wins, however – in all honesty – not within the tournaments the place he would most wish to triumph.
There are misses and there are misses. Some are worse than others and the truth that McIlroy so constantly places himself in rivalry is a trademark of his relentless excellence.
This newest disappointment by the hands of American Billy Horschel ought to be simpler to take than among the others he has suffered this yr.
McIlroy shot 67 enjoying within the last group to complete 20 below par with out being at his best possible. He was tenacious and tactical to stay in rivalry and unleashed field workplace brilliance to create the possibility of victory.
His imperious method onto the inexperienced on the par-five seventeenth was matched by a sensational 46-foot putt that yielded solely the second eagle of the ultimate day on that penultimate gap.
Immediately McIlroy might win with a birdie on the final and was standing in the midst of the closing fairway. It was a protracted method, the event was on the road, 1000’s upon 1000’s have been watching – a real grandstand end.
How a lot simpler would possibly that very tough shot have been had he been the reigning US Open champion or winner of the Irish Open or an Olympic medalist?
Who is aware of? May have, would have, ought to have.
However one suspects the immense strain of that second might need been a tad simpler to deal with in that various universe. In actuality, he appeared nervous, haunted and never relishing the second.
In fact appears could be misleading, however the ensuing four-iron was quick and left, fortunate to not discover the water. He might solely make par.
McIlroy appeared extra composed within the play-off and made two glorious birdies. However Horschel, who additionally closed with a 67, in the end holed from round 30 toes for a event profitable eagle.
The higher man on the day gained and as soon as once more it took impressed brilliance to disclaim McIlroy, simply because it had with Hojgaard seven days earlier and from Bryson DeChambeau at Pinehurst within the US Open in June.
“Inevitably you are going to have disappointments,” McIlroy reasoned. “Sadly I am simply getting a bit of too used to feeling what it is like whenever you do and hopefully that tide will flip.”
Think about his performances on the DP World Tour this yr. McIlroy has but to complete exterior the highest 4 in 5 occasions, amongst them victory on the Dubai Desert Basic in January.
In whole, solely six gamers have scored higher than him in these tournaments. He has overwhelmed a cumulative 604. A tour main stroke common of 68.71 compares very favourably with the common of 70.95.
The present world quantity three is a category above nearly everybody on the European tour. He’s destined to win a sixth Race to Dubai title in November.
Colin Montgomerie’s report haul of eight Orders of Benefit is below extreme menace from this technology’s undisputed king of European golf.
“I really feel like I’ve actually obtained a knack of enjoying golf adequate,” McIlroy mirrored because the Wentworth hoards headed to the exits. “Even once I do not feel I am enjoying my finest, I am enjoying golf adequate to at all times have an opportunity.”
He’s entitled to suppose that means. “Once I present up at a golf event, I kind of know that the sector has to beat me to have an opportunity to win,” he stated.
“That is the way it feels. In order that’s a fairly good place to be in.”
McIlroy was at his devastating finest when he gained at Quail Hole on the PGA Tour the week earlier than the US PGA Championship in Might. He couldn’t maintain that kind at Valhalla after which got here the crushing conclusion at Pinehurst the next month.
Two clear and enjoying brilliantly, he appeared destined to finish a decade-long watch for a fifth main at that US Open. However he dropped three pictures within the final 4 holes together with lacking a tiny putt on the sixteenth.
It was depressing, and was compounded by the ragged DeChambeau making a miraculous escape from a bunker to land the profitable par on the ultimate gap. Such an final result might need completed a lesser golfer.
Sure, McIlroy has but to win since and has did not take possibilities. A few of these misses could have added scar tissue – he dropped pictures down the stretch in Northern Eire simply over every week in the past – however this Wentworth defeat was completely different.
Certainly, his efficiency there confirmed that he can put bitter disappointments behind him and go once more. He’s a {golfing} Chumbawamba, able to get knocked down however get again up once more.
It’s good purpose for “tub thumping” as a result of that is one among his many qualities.
“I’m a greater golfer than I used to be 5 years in the past,” McIlroy concluded. “I do know that. It is only a matter of turning these shut calls into wins.”