Reed Holds at Wentworth — McIlroy’s Near‑Miss Sharpens the Chase
Wentworth delivered drama as Patrick Reed held on to claim the BMW PGA Championship while Rory McIlroy closed to within a shot after a late surge. McIlroy missed two decisive birdie opportunities and left the clubhouse saying, "I had my chances!" — a rueful admission that contains more promise than defeat.
Reed's victory was textbook: steady par saves, a composed short game and a closing putt that separated grit from glamour. McIlroy's aggression produced opportunities all day, and although he came up short, the runner‑up finish narrows the gap in the season standings and sends a warning to the rest of the field.
The match was won in the margins — Reed's wedge and scrambling under pressure versus McIlroy's long‑game dominance undone by tentative putting on the final greens. Wentworth's subtle contours punish indecision; this result is less a collapse than a clear diagnostic for McIlroy to sharpen one area of his game.
The Guru's verdict: this near‑miss will catalyse McIlroy rather than cripple him. Expect him to tighten his short game and convert soon; my recommendation is targeted practice on fifty‑ to twenty‑foot putts and more conservative wedge choices into closing holes. If he heeds that lesson, Reed's window at the top will be brief.