Rory McIlroy fires message to his critics after moving into BMW PGA contention
BMW PGA at Wentworth: Rory McIlroy declares he is 'certainly not done yet' when it comes to pursuing even more greatness in the game.
Rory McIlroy fired a message to his critics by declaring he is 'certainly not done yet' after moving serenely into contention for the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
McIlroy, 35, carded a solid second-round 68 on Friday to progress to 9-under par in the DP World Tour's flagship event of the season.
The Northern Irishman lies T4 and just four shots off the pace set by England's Matt Baldwin, a former Amazon driver with one DP World Tour title to his name.
McIlroy, who made five birdies and one bogey in the second round, won his first and only BMW PGA title so far 10 years ago in 2014.
Back then he flew home from seven shots back starting the final round to get the job done on Wentworth's famous West Course.
Not that the Ulsterman needs any reminding, but his fourth and last major victory also came that season at the US PGA Championship.
He had a golden chance to put that to rest at the US Open earlier this summer but he missed two short putts on the closing holes to hand the win to LIV Golf's Bryson DeChambeau.
McIlroy took the defeat to heart and would take a short break away from the game as a result.
After signing for a second-round 68 at Wentworth on Friday night, McIlroy was asked by one reporter to reflect on the rollercoaster decade that has just past.
A decade that yes, has had its fair share of disappointment in the majors, but also one that has heralded a record three FedEx Cups, five Race to Dubais and Ryder Cup success.
It's not all been doom and gloom, even if social media tells you otherwise sometimes.
Scroll down for McIlroy's comments...
"Yeah, it's 10 years ago but the memories are still pretty vivid," McIlroy said as he reflected on his 2014 BMW PGA triumph and the last decade of his career.
"It's been a great 10 years. I feel like I've achieved most things I've wanted to do in the game in those 10 years.
"Been part of unbelievable Ryder Cup teams and had some great individual success."
McIlroy then concluded the interview by declaring there is still plenty more in the tank.
"I'm certainly not done yet and want to keep going."
McIlroy is looking for instant redemption this week having been agonisingly denied a home victory in the Irish Open at Royal County Down last Sunday.
Two late bogeys on the closing four holes proved costly for McIlroy as Rasmus Hojgaard went on a birdle blitz to claim a fifth DP World Tour title.
Related: Rory McIlroy told he's 'most infuriating golfer of all-time' after Irish Open heartbreak
McIlroy started this week a warm 6/1 favourite with the bookmakers, and his current odds have now been slashed in half down to 3/1.
England's Baldwin, 38, holds a two-shot lead over recent British Masters champion Niklas Norgaard heading into the weekend at Wentworth.
Antoine Rozner is in solo third and three shots off the pace, with McIlroy a further shot back in T4 alongside resurgent 2013 BMW PGA champion Matteo Manassero.
McIlroy has confirmed he intends to significantly reduce his playing schedule next year in a bid to play his best golf in 2025.
He will also soon start his new TGL with Tiger Woods in early 2025.
McIlroy will then attempt to complete the career grand slam at The Masters in April.
Next Page: Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton appeals could extend beyond Ryder Cup
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