Rory McIlroy admitted golf is "testing" him more than usual after enduring yet another near miss at the BMW PGA Championship, losing to Billy Horschel in a play-off.

McIlroy, Horschel and Thriston Lawrence were forced into a three-way play-off after they all finished 20-under through four rounds at Wentworth.

Lawrence carded a final round of 65 to close a two-shot gap to McIlroy and Horschel, but the South African bogeyed the first play-off hole to put himself out of contention.

Horschel then wrapped up his second triumph at Wentworth with an eagle on the second, having previously triumphed at the event in 2021.

McIlroy has endured a frustrating year, missing two close-range putts when in pole position to win the US Open in June, then slipping again on the final round to finish second at last week's Irish Open.

Speaking after Sunday's play-off, the Northern Irishman said: "Last week was a tough one but I left there with my head held high with the way I played the last hole, trying to make three.

"Two weeks in a row I've played well. Just not quite well enough. The game is testing me a little more than it has done in the past, but that's fine.

"It could have been a different year but the nice thing is there's next year and the year after and the year after and the year after.

"If you think of my career as a 30-year journey, it's only one year in a 30-year journey, and hopefully the other 29 are a little more productive or a little bit better."

Horschel, meanwhile, admitted the struggles of the four-time major winner, a close friend of his, put a slight dampener on his victory.

"I'm thrilled and excited for the way I played," Horschel said.

"At the same time I'm a little disappointed – Rory is a great friend of mine and he's a generational talent. I know how close he's been this year so I feel for him.

"I needed a bit of luck. There was a lot of luck on my side to get this victory today."

Jordan Spieth is expecting to return to action for the 2025 PGA Tour season after undergoing successful wrist surgery last month. 

Spieth, who last competed at the FedEx St. Jude Classic at TPC Southwind, failed to find his best form during the recent campaign out on the course. 

The former world number one started the season strong, finishing third in The Sentry and then, a few weeks later, tied for sixth in the WM Phoenix Open

But the American missed the final two playoffs in the BMW Championship and Tour Championship, while also missing seven cuts, one of which included the Masters. 

Spieth was seen sporting a cast on his first appearance since the surgery and was able to reveal the timeline for his return to action. 

"I think that by 2025, by Jan. 1, it's my goal to be tournament-ready," Spieth told Golfweek in a Q&A published on Monday.

"And for me, that would be not just going out and seeing how it feels, you know, but expecting to play at my ceiling."

Spieth has three major wins and 13 overall victories on the PGA Tour but has not emerged victorious since the RBC Heritage in April 2022.

The American did not earn entry into the 2025 season-opening tournament. However, he is able to play in the Sony Open in Hawaii at the start of January.

While the 31-year-old's main reason for surgery was to see him return to form, he also detailed the personal reasons for his decision to go under the knife. 

"I would say the number one reason why I ended up getting it done was because it affects my way of life at home," Spieth said.

"Like when it would dislocate and I couldn't get it back in, it would happen when I'm getting my daughter out of the bath, I'm putting a sweatshirt on or it just so random that it was like, I didn't want it to continue, and it happened more and more.

"And it wasn't going to heal itself based on a number of different docs and scans and whatever. So it's just inevitable."

Rory McIlroy admitted that he was "getting used to" his near misses after another late collapse saw him lose the Irish Open by one stroke.

The Northern Irishman looked set to win on home soil after taking a commanding four-shot lead at one point on Sunday.

However, costly errors on the 15th and 17th holes put the pressure back on him, and he could not hold off Rasmus Hojgaard.

McIlroy's performance at Royal County Down had echoes of his US Open misery, where he also held a lead before mistakes at crucial moments saw him lose out to Bryson DeChambeau, extending his wait for a major title into an 11th year.

He also faltered late in his bid for an Olympic medal in Paris, but McIlroy attempted to take some positives out of his latest tournament.

"I'm getting used to it [the near misses] unfortunately this year," McIlroy said.

"Hopefully the tide is going to turn pretty soon, and I can turn all these close calls into victories."

"Missing the green right on 15 is the place you can't go, and then I just misjudged the speed with the first putt on 17.

"Overall, obviously really disappointed that I didn't win, but I'll try to take the positives and move on to next week to Wentworth [at the BMW PGA Championship].

"From where I was at the start of the week and what I wanted to do, it's a step in the right direction. You know, if anything, it just whets my appetite even more for Portrush [the Open Championship] next year."

Tiger Woods has undergone surgery to address the back spasms and pain that hampered him throughout 2024.

Woods has struggled for fitness throughout the last few years, having suffered serious leg injuries in a car crash in 2021.

He appeared at all four majors this year but missed the cut at three of those events, also finishing 60th at the Masters, while illness forced him to withdraw from the Genesis Invitational in February.

The 15-time major champion has also undergone several surgeries on his back throughout the last decade, and he revealed on Friday that another procedure was required to rectify issues that plagued him this season.

"Earlier this morning Tiger underwent micro decompression surgery of the lumbar spine for nerve impingement in the lower back," read a statement posted to Woods' X account.

"Dr Sheeraz Qureshi of Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach performed the surgery and deemed it successful."

Woods added: "The surgery went smoothly, and I'm hopeful this will help alleviate the back spasms and pain I was experiencing throughout most of the 2024 season.

"I look forward to tackling this rehab and preparing myself to get back to normal activities, including golf."

Rory McIlroy hopes there will be a "solution" from this week's scheduled talks between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Tiger Woods is reportedly among a number of PGA Tour representatives in New York for discussions with representatives from PIF, which funds the LIV Golf tour.

Negotiations for a deal that would inject over $1billion from PIF into PGA Tour Enterprises - launched by the tour and Strategic Sports Group as the new for-profit entity - began over a year ago,

McIlroy recently revealed his frustration at the lack of progress, but is hopeful the ongoing issues will soon be resolved. 

"I think everyone in the game would love there to be one [a resolution]," the world number three told BBC Sport NI.

"A solution is hard to get to because there are different interests and people want different things. There's going to have to be compromise on both sides but hopefully they're the things they're talking about in those meetings.

"I'm hopeful and hopefully we'll be hear some good news in the foreseeable future where things start to come back together."

McIlroy was speaking ahead of this week's Irish Open at Royal County Down, where he hopes to deal with the pressure of performing on home soils.

"I've had to learn over the years how to manage my week when I come home," he added. "I'm trying so hard to perform in front of the home fans, but then if I push too hard, it's detrimental to my game.

"It's about managing all those emotions and getting lost in my own little world, and not trying to do anything I wouldn't normally do.

"Just go out there and play the best golf that I can and not get too frustrated when things don't go my way. If I can do that then I think I'll be OK.

"It would be extra special [to win here]. After everything that went on this summer and being so close to winning the US Open and being close at the Olympics as well, it would be a nice way to forget about those things and move on."

Justin Rose has urged Jon Rahm to make sure he is eligible for the Ryder Cup next year.

The Spaniard, who plays on the LIV circuit, needs to play three events on the DP World Tour before the end of the season in November to be available for selection.

The Spanish Open looks to be the most likely solution for the two-time major winner, but he has not yet submitted an entry, which would need to be in by September 12.

If he fails to meet the requirements needed for his tour membership, Luke Donald will not be able to call on him, even for one of the wild card spots, as Europe look to defend their trophy at Bethpage next September.

Rose believes not having Rahm in the team would be a huge blow to Team Europe's chances in New York last year, but understands the Tour's need to enforce the regulations.

"No matter where the world rankings say he is or the golf that he is competing against, we know what a great player he is," Rose said, speaking after an event at Brocket Hall.

"My point is you want him on the team. There is a pathway for him to play the Ryder Cup if he wants it.

"I think that's all the DP World Tour can do, and they have their interests to protect, and I still think that it is a doable situation should the player want to choose to do it."

Rory McIlroy is planning to cut down the number of tournaments he enters in 2025 after a congested season that will include 27 events this year.

The Northern Irishman finished tied for ninth place in the Tour Championship in Atlanta last weekend, his 22nd event of the year.

McIlroy started the year strong, winning the Dubai Desert Classic before triumphing at the Wells Fargo Championship in May.

He also came close to ending his decade-long wait for a major title, but agonisingly missed out to Bryson DeChambeau by one shot at the U.S. Open after a late collapse, prompting him to take a short break.

"It's been a long season, and I'm going to just have to think about trying to build in a few extra breaks here and there next year and going forward because I felt like I hit a bit of a wall sort of post-U.S. Open, and still feel a little bit of that hangover," said McIlroy.

"My season is not over, obviously. I've still got five events left to play," he said.

"But yeah, I feel like the tournaments came thick and fast, and obviously, with the Olympics thrown in there, as well, this year, it sort of condensed everything a bit."

Since the U.S. Open, McIlroy has struggled to show his early-season form, missing the cut at The Open Championship and finishing fifth at the Paris Olympics while representing Team Ireland.

The 35-year-old still has five tournaments left this year, including next week's Irish Open at Royal County Down.

Asked how many tournaments is too many in one year, McIlroy replied: "27. I'm usually sort of like a 22 sort of person. But again, that was when I was sort of in my 20s and didn't have the responsibilities that I do now.

"I'm going to try to cut it back to like 18 or 20 a year going forward, I think."

Scottie Scheffler held off playing partner Collin Morikawa to complete a dominant PGA Tour season with a FedEx Cup victory at the Tour Championship.

Scheffler, who started the season finale with a five-shot lead over Morikawa, shot a four-under 67 to win on 30 under and collect $25million (£19m) of the $100m prize fund.

The world number one mixed an eagle and five birdies with three bogeys to finish four ahead of Morikawa, while a final-round 64 saw Sahith Theegala claim third place.

He also became the first player since Tiger Woods in 2007 to win seven events in a PGA Tour season as his dominance continues. 

"I try not to think too much about the past or think too much about the future, but two years ago was pretty tough, having a good lead going into the last round and not playing my best and then losing," Scheffler said.

"Then last year, I just had a pretty off week so it was fairly disappointing. So to come in with a lead for the third time and be able to finish it off is definitely pretty sweet.

"I feel like I've lived almost a full lifetime in this one year."

For Morikawa, it was an impressive display but not good enough.

That is despite Morikawa going within two shots of the lead after taking advantage of Scheffler's successive bogeys on the seventh and eighth holes. 

But Scheffler responded with three birdies in a row to surge four clear, and despite Morikawa responding with a birdie on the 13th, the American knocked home a 15-foot eagle putt to re-establish his five-shot advantage. 

"Nothing fazes him," said Morikawa.

"Whether I was gaining some ground or he was gaining ground, it didn't change how he walked or how he played or how he went through every shot.

"That's something to learn. His mental game is a lot stronger than a lot of people know."

Scottie Scheffler held off playing partner Collin Morikawa to complete a dominant PGA Tour season with a FedEx Cup victory at the Tour Championship.

Scheffler, who started the season finale with a five-shot lead over Morikawa, shot a four-under 67 to win on 30 under and collect $25million (£19m) of the $100m prize fund.

The world number one mixed an eagle and five birdies with three bogeys to finish four ahead of Morikawa, while a final-round 64 saw Sahith Theegala claim third place.

He also became the first player since Tiger Woods in 2007 to win seven events in a PGA Tour season as his dominance continues. 

"I try not to think too much about the past or think too much about the future, but two years ago was pretty tough, having a good lead going into the last round and not playing my best and then losing," Scheffler said.

"Then last year, I just had a pretty off week so it was fairly disappointing. So to come in with a lead for the third time and be able to finish it off is definitely pretty sweet.

"I feel like I've lived almost a full lifetime in this one year."

For Morikawa, it was an impressive display but not good enough.

That is despite Morikawa going within two shots of the lead after taking advantage of Scheffler's successive bogeys on the seventh and eighth holes. 

But Scheffler responded with three birdies in a row to surge four clear, and despite Morikawa responding with a birdie on the 13th, the American knocked home a 15-foot eagle putt to re-establish his five-shot advantage. 

"Nothing fazes him," said Morikawa.

"Whether I was gaining some ground or he was gaining ground, it didn't change how he walked or how he played or how he went through every shot.

"That's something to learn. His mental game is a lot stronger than a lot of people know."

Scottie Scheffler is in the driving seat as he targets a first FedEx Cup title, taking a five-shot lead into the final day at the Tour Championship.

The world number one made a slow start on Saturday but recovered to finish strongly with four birdies on the final five holes to maintain his lead, as he carded 66, moving his total to 26-under.

Scheffler is aiming to win his seventh PGA Tour event of the season at East Lake, with Collin Morikawa closest to him in second having carded a 67 in the third round.

"I've had my chances here to win some tournaments, and I'll have no better opportunity than Sunday," said Scheffler.

"I've been mentally at my best this year, and I'm looking forward to doing more of that in the last round."

Morikawa played himself into contention on Friday and was able to keep the pace with birdies on three of the last four holes on Saturday, while Xander Schaffuele slipped down to fourth, 10 shots off the top, with Sahith Theegala above him on 17-under.

After Morikawa's strong finish on Saturday, he remains hopeful that he will get a stroke of luck on Sunday to pip his compatriot to the title.

"It's going to be very hard, but I believe in myself that I can do it," Morikawa said.

"Five shots is a lot, but two-shot swings happen. I think I've seen a couple over the past few days.

"I've just got to play my game. I've got to go low. I've got 18 holes left in the season - I'm going to put everything I have into these next 24 hours."

Scottie Scheffler insists his swing is "in a good spot" despite seeing his lead at the top of the Tour Championship standings cut to four shots on the second day.

Scheffler, who is aiming to win his first FedEx Cup title, carded 65 in his opening round and entered the second round with a 10-shot lead.

However, the world number one saw American duo Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele close the gap during a weather-disrupted second round on Friday.

Scheffler carded a round of 66 to take himself to 21 under par, aided by two birdies in the final three holes to keep the chasing back at bay. 

"I feel like my swing is in a good spot, and I've hit it nice the last couple of days," he said. "A lot of quality stuff out there, and in a good spot going into the weekend."

Morikawa is four shots off the pace after producing a superb eight-under 63, which was the best round of the day, and has surged up the standings to second place.

In an impressive round, he dropped just one shot on the 11th hole, but made amends on the back nine before closing with back-to-back birdies. 

"He's going to continue to make birdies," Morikawa said about the possibility of catching Scheffler. "He's driving it really, really well here, and you're giving yourself enough wedges to make some scoring opportunities out there.

"For me, it's just about bringing energy and just staying alive out there."

Schauffele is in third, one shot behind compatriot Morikawa, after shooting an impressive second-round 64 to remain in the hunt for the $25million prize money. 

There is then a four-shot gap until a group of three players, including Adam Scott, are tied for fourth place at 12 under, while Rory McIlroy is tied for 10th place on eight under.

Scottie Scheffler is in prime position to win his first FedEx Cup title after storming into a seven-shot lead at the Tour Championship.

The world number one, who started on 10 under due to the FedEx Cup's staggered structure, carded a superb 65 in the first round of the PGA Tour's season-ending tournament, after recovering from an early bogey at East Lake.

Scheffler's haul included seven birdies, with five of those coming from his last seven holes, as he bids to win a seventh PGA Tour event of the season.

His main FedEx Cup challenger Xander Schauffele is tied for second on nine under par, along with Collin Morikawa, while Rory McIlroy is three shots back in T10.

However, the Northern Irishman has not given up hope of applying pressure to Scheffler as the tournament goes on.

"I'm happy with how I hung in there and had a good finish," McIlroy told Sky Sports.

"When I saw Scottie had gotten to 14, I was like, 'Oh, got to try to just hang on to the coattails a little bit'.

"Still feel like I've got a chance, and it was nice to finish the way I did."

Scheffler, also speaking to Sky Sports, said: "Yeah, I'm pleased with the day.

"I tried not to think about any sort of lead or anything like that, my job was to go out there and execute and I felt like I did a really good job of that. I felt like I was doing some good stuff to start the day.

"I had the bogey on one but after that I felt like I played some really good golf."

Keegan Bradley is proud of his fighting spirit as he regained a one-shot lead over Adam Scott in the BMW Championship heading into the final day.

Bradley, who was named the United States' Ryder Cup captain for 2025, had led after the first round but slipped down the leaderboard after Scott's impressive 63 on Friday.

However, after a rollercoaster day that saw him card eight birdies and six bogeys at Castle Pines, he ensured he was back on top of the pile by sinking a birdie on the final hole to card a two-under 70.

Scott, who was the unlikely leader at the halfway stage, remains within touching distance after two late birdies helped him to 74.

Ludvig Aberg and Alex Noren also remain in contention, tied for third on 10-under after carding 71 and 70 respectively on Saturday.

Xander Schauffele is three shots further back on seven under in joint fifth, after hitting a five-under 67 in the third round.

"It was tough out there today," Bradley admitted. "It was really windy, a lot of elevated tees that were into the wind, which makes it really tough.

"Proud of the way I fought today. I played some brilliant golf, but I hit also some terrible shots, too. I guess that's the way of the world. But I'm proud of the way I fought there in the end."

Adam Scott is aiming to replicate his second-round form as he looks to hold onto his lead at the BMW Championship.

Scott carded a stunning 63 at Castle Pines on Friday to take an unlikely lead in the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

The Australian is on 13 under par heading into the weekend, three shots ahead of first-round leader Keegan Bradley and four strokes clear of Ludvig Aberg, who matched Scott's 63.

Alex Noren, Aberg's Swedish compatriot, is a shot back in third.

"It's been a long time. I can't remember the last time I shot a 63 out here," Scott, who won The Masters in 2013 but has not claimed a Tour-level victory since 2020, told pgatour.com.

"But it feels good to go low, that I've still got that in me. Hopefully, there's one more this week."

Rory McIlroy is tied at 15th on three-under-par, while Xander Schauffele is a shot further back.

World number one Scottie Scheffler is tied at 29, however, after carding a par 72.

There was disappointment for Hideki Matsuyama, meanwhile, with the St. Jude Championship winner forced to withdraw due to a back problem.

"I am disappointed to have to withdraw from the BMW Championship after experiencing lower back discomfort while warming up this morning, which made it impossible to play," he said on Friday.

"Thank you to BMW and the Western Golf Association for a great experience here at Castle Pines."

The United States' Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley built a one-shot lead in the first round of the BMW Championship, before a thunderstorm halted play near Denver.

Bradley was named USA captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup in a surprise selection last month, after Tiger Woods had been touted for the role.

He shot a six-under 66 in his first round at Castle Pines, Colorado, on Thursday, finishing his round just before inclement weather halted play for three hours.

When play finally resumed, Hideki Matsuyama missed a birdie putt on the final hole, which would have given him a share of the lead alongside Bradley.

Alexander Noren, Adam Scott and Corey Conners all finished one stroke further back at four under, with Xander Schauffele at three under and Rory McIlroy shooting a two-under 70.

Bradley only just scraped into the 50-player field and is aware of the importance of playing the big events ahead of next year's tournament in New York.

"I want to be out there with the guys and the Ryder Cup team," Bradley said after completing his first round.

"I want to be playing with them, on the range with them, in the locker room, in the tournament. It was really important for me to be in this top 50."