Rory McIlroy blames mistakes and mental errors at European Masters

After losing in a five-man playoff at the European Masters on Sunday, Rory McIlory has played in seven events in just eight weeks and is relishing the opportunity to take a much needed break.

Back in 2008, Rory McIlory had a four-shot lead heading into the final round, but a mistake on 18 lead to a playoff in which McIlroy lost, missing out on what would have been his maiden European Tour title.

Last week, McIlroy returned to Switzerland looking for redemption, but once again fell short in a playoff, where Sweden's Sebastian Soderberg clinched the victory and won his first event on the European Tour.

During the course of the week at Crans-sur-Sierre, McIlroy carded 14 bogeys over the four day tournament and believes it was due to mental fatigue as the Northern Irishman made too many mistakes during his quest in the Swiss Alps.

McIlroy made his fourth bogey of the final round on just the 10th hole and looked to be out of contention, but the 30-year-old then clawed his way back up the leaderboard by making five birdies in six holes and finishing with an excellent par on the 18th.

After grinding his way back into contention and into the five-man playoff, McIlroy was the clear favourite to go on and win the Omega European Masters, but Soderberg made a brilliant birdie on the first playoff hole, while McIlroy could only make par.

"Too many mistakes," said McIlroy, as he assessed his performance for the week. "I think I made 13 bogeys during the week. I made enough birdies, but I just didn't have it over the weekend.

"I obviously made a good run over the back nine today, but that last putt lacked a bit of speed. I felt like I started on the right line I just didn't hit it with the pace I wanted.

"But it's been another solid week, coming back across the Atlantic. Now I'm looking forward to a couple of weeks off. This is my seventh event in eight weeks, so I've played a lot of golf.

"Playing so much, little mental errors can creep in here and there. The sloppy finish on Saturday probably cost me, but I fought back today and did my best. It just wasn't meant to be.

"I'll put the clubs away for a few days, rest, recover and reflect on what has been a pretty good season so far, and try to get myself back up for the BMW PGA at Wentworth."