Rory McIlroy's PGA Championship defeat inflicted by inspired Billy Horschel brilliance

Rory McIlroy probably finds himself questioning what it truly takes to win a golf tournament, a puzzling thought for a player with 40 wins under his belt in a remarkable career.

His most recent close call occurred at last week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, marking his second consecutive second-place finish after losing to Rasmus Hojgaard at the Irish Open.

Both were prestigious titles to aspire to: the renowned Royal County Down in his home country of Northern Ireland and then in the DP World Tour’s premier event. Both competitions were held in front of large crowds, enthusiastically cheering for McIlroy to secure a victory.

However, we now have to include these outcomes in an ever-expanding list of letdowns for 2024: losing to Tommy Fleetwood at the Dubai Invitational, crumbling under pressure at the US Open, and hitting water while still in contention at the Olympics.

It's a bit of a disappointment for the 35-year-old from Holywood this season, which could have been so much more! While he's managed to secure three victories, they haven't come in the events that would mean the most to him.

There are missed opportunities, and then there are truly significant ones. Some are more impactful than others, and Rory McIlroy's ability to regularly be in the running for victories highlights his unwavering skill and determination.

This recent setback against American Billy Horschel should feel more manageable than some of his previous disappointments this year.

McIlroy fired a 67 while competing in the last group, ending with a score of 20 under par despite not playing his absolute best. He displayed determination and strategy to stay in the hunt, showcasing moments of brilliance that opened the door for a potential win.

His commanding entrance onto the green at the par-five 17th was accompanied by an impressive 46-foot putt, which resulted in just the second eagle of the day on that second-to-last hole.

Out of nowhere, McIlroy had the chance to clinch victory with a birdie on the final hole as he stood in the center of the closing fairway. It was a challenging shot, the championship hung in the balance, and countless spectators were watching – creating an electrifying finale.

Imagine how much simpler that tough shot could have felt if he had already won the US Open, the Irish Open, or even an Olympic medal.

Who can say? Might have, ought to have, was supposed to have.

However, it seems that the overwhelming pressure during that time might have been a bit more manageable in a different reality. In contrast, he looked anxious, troubled, and not enjoying the experience at all.

Sure, appearances can be misleading, but the shot with the four-iron ended up being short and veered to the left, narrowly avoiding the water. He could only manage a par on that hole.

McIlroy appeared to be calmer during the playoff and recorded two impressive birdies. However, Horschel, who finished with a score of 67 as well, secured the victory by sinking a 30-foot eagle putt.

The man who performed best that day came out on top, and yet again, it required exceptional skill to keep McIlroy from winning—just like the previous week with Hojgaard, and back in June with Bryson DeChambeau at the US Open in Pinehurst.

"Disappointments are unavoidable," McIlroy explained. "Sadly, I'm becoming too familiar with that feeling, but I hope things will change for the better soon."

Take a look at how McIlroy has been doing on the DP World Tour this year. He has consistently placed in the top four in all five tournaments he has entered, including a win at the Dubai Desert Classic in January.

Overall, just six players have outperformed him in those competitions. He has surpassed a total of 604. His impressive average of 68.71 strokes per round is significantly better than the average of 70.95.

The player ranked third in the world stands head and shoulders above most competitors on the European tour. He's on track to secure his sixth Race to Dubai title this November.

Colin Montgomerie's impressive achievement of winning eight Orders of Merit is at serious risk thanks to the current standout player in European golf.

As the crowd began to leave Wentworth, McIlroy shared his thoughts, saying, "I believe I've developed a talent for playing golf well. Even on days when I don't feel at my best, I still manage to play well enough to remain in the running."

He has every right to feel that way. "Whenever I arrive at a golf tournament, I feel like the other competitors need to outperform me to have any shot at winning," he mentioned.

"That's the experience you get. So it's actually a favorable situation to be in."

McIlroy showcased his incredible skill when he clinched victory at Quail Hollow on the PGA Tour just a week before the US PGA Championship in May. However, he wasn't able to maintain that level of performance at Valhalla, and then faced a disappointing outcome at Pinehurst the following month.

He was performing exceptionally well and had a solid lead, looking like he was finally going to win his fifth major title at the US Open after waiting for ten years. However, things took a turn as he made three mistakes in the final four holes, including a missed short putt on the 16th.

It was a tough situation, made even worse by DeChambeau's impressive recovery from a bunker, which allowed him to secure a crucial par on the last hole. Many golfers might have crumbled under the pressure in that moment.

Indeed, McIlroy has not secured a victory since then and has struggled to capitalize on opportunities. Some of those missed chances might have left their mark on him; after all, he lost strokes toward the end in Northern Ireland just over a week ago. However, the defeat at Wentworth had a different feel to it.

His display clearly demonstrated that he can move past difficult setbacks and keep pushing forward. He embodies the spirit of resilience, like Chumbawamba’s song, always ready to be knocked down but always rising back up.

There’s a solid reason to celebrate because this is just one of his many great traits.

"I’ve improved as a golfer compared to five years ago," McIlroy said. "I’m aware of that. Now it’s all about converting these near victories into actual wins."