<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0hU5Zo_0vaGHf8200" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0hU5Zo_0vaGHf8200" width="923" height="629" ><figcaption>Rory McIlroy</figcaption></figure><p><b>English tour pro Eddie Pepperell has questioned whether</b> <b>Rory McIlroy</b> <b>truly has a killer instinct.</b> </p><p>McIlroy, 35, missed a glorious opportunity to claim a fairytale home victory at last week's Irish Open. </p><p>Putting jitters haunted McIlroy again, with the four-time major champion dropping shots at Royal County Down's 15th and 17th to fall two behind Rasmus Hojgaard with one hole left. </p><p>McIlroy was a matter of centimetres away from forcing a playoff with the young Dane, but his eagle putt at the 72nd hole slid by the right edge of the cup to prompt unanimous groans from the crowd. </p><p>It marked the latest disappointment for McIlroy who later told reporters he was 'getting used to' near-misses in 2024. </p><p>He was referring to his dramatic collapse at the U.S. Open in July where he spurned another gilt-edged chance to end his 10-year wait for a major championship. </p><p>Now Pepperell put forward his theory as to why McIlroy doesn't get over the line as much as he would like, despite his obvious talent. </p><p>Pepperell told the Chipping Forecast: "Winning is obviously very hard and he's won far more than most. </p><p>"I hesitate to say this but, you know, one wonders if he doesn't have a huge killer instinct in strokeplay events even in spite of [the] many victories he's had. </p><p>"And it makes you wonder how many wins he would have if he had the killer instinct that Tiger had or you could argue someone like a Brooks Koepka or Jon Rahm has. </p><p>"I think that goes to show the level of talent that Rory has. I think it is unparalleled since Tiger and I still maintain that. </p><p>"His ability to play and hit shots... his two shots into 18 [in the final round of the Irish Open] were just unbelievable and he'll be kicking himself." </p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_-RRhNMB1I/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_-RRhNMB1I/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"><div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; 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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"><div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div><div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div><div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"><div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div><div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_-RRhNMB1I/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗳𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰.𝗰𝗼𝗺 (@golfmagic)</a></p></div><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);delay=function(){window.instgrm.Embeds.process()};setTimeout(delay,500)"></blockquote><p>Pepperell said McIlroy has now got to try and find a way, as he moves into his late 30s and early 40s, to engender a mindset that is going to help him cross the line more frequently. </p><p>He reckons McIlroy will keep himself in good physical shape to enable him to compete and win at least six tournaments per year. </p><p>"And a few of them are going to be majors," Pepperell said. </p><p>"He just needs to find a way of crossing that line."</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3WtmR0_0vaGHf8200" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3WtmR0_0vaGHf8200" width="1800" height="1209" ><figcaption>Rory McIlroy</figcaption></figure><p>McIlroy is back in action this week at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. </p><p>McIlroy has won the flagship event on the DP World Tour once in 2014. </p><p>GolfMagic will be providing live text updates.</p><p>Play gets underway on Thursday morning. </p><p>Barring a late surge from the aforementioned Hojgaard, the Ulsterman looks set to be crowned the Race to Dubai champion for the sixth time in his career later this year. </p></div></body>

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Rory McIlroy told by Tour pro: \"One wonders if you don't have a huge killer instinct\"

English tour pro Eddie Pepperell has questioned whether Rory McIlroy truly has a killer instinct. McIlroy, 35, missed a glorious opportunity to claim a fairytale home victory at last week's Irish Open. Putting jitters haunted McIlroy again, with the four-time major champion dropping shots at Royal County Down's 15th and...

Rory McIlroy told by Tour pro: "One wonders if you don't have a huge killer instinct"

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