Wed Sep 18 15:37:00 UTC 2024: ## McIlroy Recovers Mentally But Physical Issues Could Hinder BMW PGA Championship Bid
**Wentworth, England -** Rory McIlroy insists he has mentally moved on from his near miss at the Irish Open, despite falling short of victory in dramatic fashion. However, the four-time Major winner revealed that a lingering cough, contracted from his daughter, could impact his performance at the BMW PGA Championship.
McIlroy, who led the Irish Open by two shots with four holes to play, saw Rasmus Hojgaard steal the show with a brilliant closing 65. While acknowledging his own mistakes on the 15th and 17th holes, McIlroy emphasized that he doesn’t view the outcome as a loss, but rather a victory for Hojgaard.
“I’m glad to be back on the horse again,” McIlroy said at Wentworth, where he won the title in 2014. “I think there may be a misconception that it hit me harder than it maybe did. I didn’t really feel like I necessarily lost the tournament. I felt like Rasmus went out and won it.”
Despite the recent setback, McIlroy expressed confidence in his game and his ability to challenge for another win at Wentworth. “My game is feeling like it’s in pretty good shape and I feel like I have another chance to win a really big tournament that means a lot to me,” he said.
However, his physical condition could pose a challenge. “Poppy’s had a cough for a couple of weeks, gave it to me last week,” McIlroy explained. “Started feeling pretty rough Monday, Tuesday so went to the doctor, on a course of antibiotics and I feel, energy-wise, better than I did (on Tuesday). I’ll be a bit wheezy this week but nothing I can’t handle.”
McIlroy will partner Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose and defending champion Ryan Fox in the first two rounds. A win at Wentworth would see McIlroy climb closer to Seve Ballesteros on the Race to Dubai leaderboard and inch towards Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight wins.
First Piper 