BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

September 11, 2022

Rory McIlroy

Wentworth Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Not quite sure what's going through your right now, how that putt didn't drop, and yeah, talk us through how you're feeling right now.

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I battled well today. I didn't have my best stuff and it was sort of a struggle all the way around. Sort of kept myself in it. Held some good putts when I needed to. Got some good up-and-downs, and yeah, the course was very scorable all this week, especially today. Yeah, I felt I needed to get to 18 to have a chance to win, so I came up a couple short of my target. I really needed that to win outright but obviously I was just hoping for a playoff with Shane but really happy for him. He's had a lot of close calls here. Finished second to me when I won in 2014 and he's got me back today. He's been knocking on the door for a while. He's played a lot of good golf this year without actually getting over the line. So really, really happy for him. We've become incredibly close over the last couple years, and yeah, good to see.

Q. Some fantastic stuff but also a few frustrations along the way. How do you sum up the three days?

RORY McILROY: Off the tee for the most part I was good. I think my approach play wasn't great. I struggled coming back from the States it here and the soft turf and the heavier air. The ball wasn't going quite as far. Probably just didn't adapt to that as good as I should have done hard to trust when the ball is going a certain number in heat and dry conditions, when you get here, it's so hard to trust that it's not going to fly as far as you think it is.

Overall great week. I can pick apart a few things but game is in good shape heading into Italy next week?

Q. Unique week in many ways, the suspension on Friday, what's it been like being part of this championship this week coming back to somewhere I know you wanted to come back to over the last few years and just haven't been able to, do you ultimately take good memories from this week and be back here as you move forward?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, definitely. I mean, looking at the leaderboard now, I think Shane, Jon and I would have had a great battle tomorrow if it had of been 72 holes. Look, it's been a surreal week in a way but yeah, definitely one of the more memorable weeks regardless what happened on the golf course. Great to be back at Wentworth and excited to get back here again next week.

Q. How much momentum do you take from this?

RORY McILROY: I do, I don't take as much momentum as if I had won the thing but I keep saying, the more you put yourself in these positions, law of averages suggests that you're going to get your fair share. You know, I feel like I stole one a couple weeks ago at East Lake. I didn't quite get over the line today but you know, you keep putting yourself up there and you keep playing good golf, enough are going to fall your way.

Q. What does it mean watching Shane win?

RORY McILROY: I'm so happy for him. He's played a lot of great golf this year. I think back to he had a chance at the Honda, got screwed with that big downpour on 17 and 18. Hilton Head as well, playing in the final group with Harold Varner. He's had a lot of chances to win this year and hasn't quite got over the line.

I'm really happy for him. He's played a lot of good golf and he deserves this one. I wish I would have made him play a couple extra holes maybe to get the trophy but incredibly happy for Shane and hopefully we'll have a couple drinks tonight.

Q. How are you feeling right now?

RORY McILROY: I'm okay. I think Shane winning softens the blow. If it had of been someone else. I might not have felt as comfortable with it as I am. Seeing a friend win is always great and I'm really happy for him. I struggled today. I didn't hit my irons very well. I was scrambling quite a lot. But I got the most out of my round. I sort of dug in there and did what I needed to to give myself a chance going down 18.

Overall, another good week. I keep putting myself in these positions and that's all you can ask for.

Q. A great final day and good for golf at this point in time?

RORY McILROY: The last few weeks on the golf course haven't disappointed. A lot of great players playing right now. The depth of talent all over the world, it's a great time for golf. I think we can't lose sight of that fact. There's a lot of great players and a lot of great players playing great golf. It's great when we can put on shows and make it as exciting as it was today.

Q. It was obviously as you said, something that would soften the blow. Shane won and he loves Wentworth. Just a word about Shane and he was the guy you were effectively dueling with at the end.

RORY McILROY: Yeah. Look, I'm incredibly happy for Shane. He's been knocking on the door a lot this year. The two that spring to mind are The Honda Classic and RBC Heritage Hilton Head. He had two great chances there and wasn't able to get over the line. I know he's always played well here and this is a tournament he would love to win and obviously he did today.

Yeah, look, I think he was having a sneakily good year and even though the results mightn't have suggested it, but playing at home with him, seeing him out playing and getting himself into contention, I think it's as consistent as Shane has played his entire career which obviously bodes well for him for the future for Ryder Cup next year and beyond.

My game is in good shape and I feel like everything feels simple. I'm playing within myself and I know my patterns. As long as I can sort of manage my patterns well and sort of play conservative when I'm not totally comfortable with a shot and play more aggressive when I am feeling it. You know, hitting two shots like that into the last when you need to, that gives you a lot of confidence as well. That 3-iron I hit was one of the best shots I hit all week and to do it in that situation was really pleasing.