Rory rolls up sleeves for fight

RORY McILROY is demanding more tenacity from himself as he returns to the BMW PGA Championship today frustrated with his season so far.

McIlroy, who skipped the 2016 and 2017 editions, knows what determination can deliver at Wentworth having come from seven shots behind in the final round to win in 2014 – and he wants to see that attitude again after a roller-coaster campaign. “I guess the good has been very good and the bad has been worse than I’d want it to be. It has been a little more inconsistent than I’d want it to be,” he said.

“Starting out in the Middle East and with the win at Bay Hill and getting myself into position at Augusta, they were all great tournaments but then I just want the weeks where I’m not feeling so good about my game, instead of it being a weekend off, to still have a chance going into the last round.”

McIlroy leads a strong European line-up with Paul Casey, back in the world’s top 10 for the first time in seven years, and Ian Poulter jetting in from their US bases to play at Wentworth. Like McIlroy, who has missed four cuts in his eight appearances, Poulter’s record in the tournament is sketchy.

“I have a love/hate for this place,” said Poulter. “I love it as a venue.

“I love it for the fans. I love that it’s the home of the European Tour. But I don’t love it because of my results.

“There are no excuses. I’ve got every part of the game I need to perform on this course and it’s about time I did it.”