Rory McIlroy has come close to winning this season, but a new chapter could be in store this weekend at the 2024 BMW PGA Championship. Following a 5-under 67 in the first round, world No. 3 McIlroy shot a 68 on Friday and is now tied for fourth at 9-under, four shots behind 36-hole leader Matthew Baldwin.
“It was good. I felt pretty solid,” McIlroy said. “I think 9-under was probably a fair reflection of how I played the other day. You know, I played my short game pretty well and I was up and down when I missed some greens. A couple of key saves on 14 and 17 and then birdies on 16 and 18 were pretty good too.
“So yeah, overall I'm pretty happy with where I am in the leaderboard. There are a few little things that I'm working on, but overall I'm pretty happy with where I'm at.”
McIlroy's round started uneventfully, as he took advantage on the par-4 4th and then tapped in an easy shot with a wedge on the par-4 6. A few holes later, McIlroy had another three-putt bogey to finish at 1 under.
The first of three par-5s on the back side of Wentworth saw another circle, and McIlroy made it to Page 1 of the leaderboard. His hole-in-one from 11 feet on the par-4 16th moved his name closer to the top and set the stage for a strong finish with a par on the par-5 17th and a two-putt birdie on the final hole.
A week after a disappointing finish at the Irish Open in Northern Ireland, McIlroy now has another chance to win. Rather than shy away from the chance to reach the winner’s circle, the 35-year-old is determined to seize the opportunity and win the DP World Tour’s flagship event for the first time in 10 years.
“I thought it was really important and good,” McIlroy said. “I didn’t want to take a week off and just wallow in self-pity or do the things I would have done if I wasn’t playing. Coming back, getting right back on the golf course, playing some solid rounds and giving myself another opportunity to play in a big tournament that means so much to me, I thought it was important to do that, and thankfully, I did.”
