Rory McIlroy

The arrival of Saudi-backed LIV Golf series has fractured the game in 2022.

McIlroy’s group looked unlikely to complete their second rounds after taking three hours to play nine holes.

The four-time major winner was only a shot behind leader Matt Fitzpatrick after the first round of the Rome event.

He kick-started his round by holing out from 115 yards for an eagle on the par-four third.

Shane Lowry ended up winning the BMW PGA Championship title by a shot ahead of McIlroy and Jon Rahm.

The BMW PGA Championship resumed on Saturday after Friday’s play was suspended due to the death of the Queen.

McIlroy believes the LIV Golf contingent should not be allowed to compete in this week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Patrick Reed and others will be among the field at the BMW PGA Championship.

Rory McIlroy remarkably overturned a six-shot deficit in the final round of the Tour Championship to become the first player to win the FedEx Cup three times.McIlroy carded a closing 66 at East Lake to finish 21 under par, a shot ahead of Sungjae Im and Scottie Scheffler, who had been an odds-on favourite to secure his fifth win of the season and the 18million US dollar (£15.3million) first prize.However, Scheffler struggled to a 73 and McIlroy took full advantage to claim an extraordinary victory, having started the week six shots behind the world number one under the handicap scoring sy...

The 18-hole contests, starting in January 2024, will take just two hours to complete.