MCILROY TAKES POSITIVES DESPITE FALTERING DOWN THE STRETCH
Rory McIlroy pushed Wyndham Clark all the way but ultimately came up short to finish third in the BMW Championship in the penultimate event of the FedEx Playoffs. (Photo: Getty)
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy was left to reflect on what might have been after his final-round challenge fell short at the BMW Championship, as Wyndham Clark went on a late birdie charge to claim victory at Bellerive Country Club.
Clark began Sunday with a five-shot lead, but the contest tightened as McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay made their moves. McIlroy was playing in the final group alongside Clark and threatened to turn the championship on its head before Clark responded defiantly.
The American eventually finished on 17 under par, three shots ahead of Cantlay, with McIlroy a further stroke back in third place. Clark's victory was his third PGA TOUR title of the 2026 season and earned him $3.6 million and 750 FedExCup points.
For McIlroy, it was a frustrating conclusion after he had worked his way back into contention during a week in which his game had improved significantly from his previous start in the FedExCup Playoffs.
McIlroy was ultimately unable to maintain his momentum on the closing stretch, allowing Clark the breathing room he needed to secure the title as the American birdied the final three holes. The result nevertheless represented another strong performance for McIlroy as attention now turns to the season-ending TOUR Championship.
“I always felt like I needed to just get my nose ahead to really try to put the pressure on Wyndham, and I couldn't,” said McIlroy, who shot 69 and finished at 13 under and four back of Clark. “We were tied there for a few holes, and then when he made that putt on 16 for two and I couldn't answer, that was obviously a huge moment in the round and in the tournament.
That McIlroy contended at all was improbable four days ago. The reigning Masters champion admitted his game was not where he wanted it to be to begin the week. The results indicated that, too. He finished 66th in a 69-man field a week ago in Memphis.
McIlroy returned home to Florida on Monday for a practice session with his coach Michael Bannon. The two found a swing feel and pre-shot rehearsal that helped minimise many of the misses he was seeing. He also started using a new, unique training aid. That provided the positive momentum he needed. He rode it all week in St. Louis.
“I felt like most of my game held up today,” McIlroy said. “Obviously going out in the final group and you're working on some stuff, you know, you're just hoping that everything stays the way it is. But, yeah, I hit it well on the back nine. I gave myself plenty of chances. I just couldn't get a putt to drop there those final few holes.”
“It's nice to know even when I'm not super happy with everything I can still, you know, piece it together and get it around and still give myself a chance to win tournaments,” McIlroy added.
After his win Clark had a bit of fun knowing he was not the fans’ favourite this week, just like Shinnecock Hills at the US Open earlier this year, yet he won both times.
“Darth Vader had more fun,” quipped Clark. “They still treated me great. I just think, I mean, Rory's earned the right to be a fan favourite. So, you know, I embraced it.”
“Anytime someone said something negative to me, I replaced it with something positive,” Clark said after the US Open. “You know, some of it is self-deserved. I kind of brought it on myself, but I also get it, too.”