Pádraig Harrington knows a thing or two about finishing second, and if he had time to give Rory McIlroy advice after the Holywood star’s latest runner-up finish in the BMW PGA Championship yesterday, it would be to keep putting his neck on the line.

Rory McIlroy suffered playoff agony in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth but insists he’s excited for the future despite racking up his fourth runner-up finish this year.

Rory McIlroy hopes to put his Irish Open misery behind him and win the BMW PGA after he overcame swing-change gremlins to chisel out a four-under 68 and keep his title hopes alive at Wentworth.

Rory McIlroy admits getting back to world number one will feel even more special than the first time if he turns a one-shot lead into victory in the CJ Cup in South Carolina today.

Pádraig Harrington banished his short game fears and produced a trademark scrambling performance to storm into contention for his second PGA Championship at Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course.