Rory McIlroy admitted that losing out to close friend Shane Lowry 'softened the blow' of coming up short at the BMW Championship at Wentworth.
Offaly man Lowry claimed victory on the last hole with a birdie but had to endure a nail-biting period as McIlroy's eagle putt to take the tournament to a play-off just missed.
Lowry, who did not drop a shot in any of the three rounds, had been edged out by McIlroy at the same venue in 2012.
