There's a simmering discontent within Rory McIlroy; even after a strong third-place finish at the BMW Championship, the star is far from satisfied with his game – a tricky starting position ahead of the PGA Tour's big finale. He may be "closer" than at the start of the week, but he's not yet at the point where he's "super happy" with his swing or his overall game. This honesty is striking.
After a disastrous 66th place finish in a field of 68 at the FedEx St. Jude Championship – where he saw his game as "miles away" – the BMW Championship was a true statement. Rory carded one stellar round after another and was firmly in contention. He finished at 13 under par, just four shots behind winner Wyndham Clark. However, the final round of 69 doesn't hide everything.
Criticism Despite Strong Performance
McIlroy himself lamented that while "most of my game held up," there were noticeable areas for improvement: the driver, his iron play on one day, and a putter that went cold late on crucial holes. It is this meticulous self-criticism that distinguishes the Irishman and prevents him from resting easy now that the crucial phase is approaching.
The Road to East Lake
The upcoming final at East Lake demands absolute top form. McIlroy knows he needs to work on the details to put himself in contention for the big title. His 2026 season was already under special scrutiny – now also the question of how quickly he can elevate his game to the next level. It remains exciting to see how the Northern Irishman tackles this challenge.
