Rory McIlroy remained positive despite a play-off loss at the BMW PGA Championship that condemned him to his next near-win in 2024.

The third-ranked player in the world was beaten by American Billy Horschel on the second play-off hole in Wentworth on Sunday.

McIlroy narrowly missed out on winning the US Open in June, losing a lead again in the final round, and finished second in last weekend’s Irish Open at Royal County Down after nearly missing an eagle on the final hole that would have forced a playoff.

“Last week was tough, but I left with my head held high because I played the last hole so well that I wanted to make it three shots,” said the four-time major winner from Northern Ireland.

“I played well for two weeks in a row. Just not well enough. The game is challenging me a little more than in the past, but that’s OK.”

McIlroy and Horschel finished the match at 20 under par, as did South African Throston Lawrence, who was eliminated on the first play-off hole.

Horschel then won the tournament for the second time in four years with an eagle on the par 5 hole 18.

“If someone had told me I would show up at Wentworth this week and shoot 20 under par, I would have taken it. All I can do is keep showing up and try to play the golf I’ve been playing and sooner or later I’ll win,” McIlroy added.

“And today I played the play-off holes really perfectly, a couple of birdies. But that just shows the level out here. If you have just one small slip-up or don’t make a birdie on a crucial hole, there’s always someone waiting to take advantage.”

McIlroy has his sights firmly set on the future and is optimistic after a series of disappointments.

“It could have been a different year, but the nice thing is that there’s next year and the year after that and the year after that and the year after that.”

“If you look at my career as a 30-year journey, it’s just one year of a 30-year journey, and hopefully the other 29 are a little more productive or a little better.”