Rory McIlroy sends message to Patrick Reed after coming up short at BMW PGA

Rory McIlroy says he's excited to battle Patrick Reed for the Race to Dubai title after coming up short of winning the BMW PGA Championship for the second time in his career.

McIlroy, 37, began the final round of the DP World Tour's flagship event at Wentworth two shots off the lead.

But the Masters champion could only manage a 4-under 68 on the West Course to finish two shots behind champion J.J. Spaun in a four-way tie for second.

The Northern Irishman will now turn his attention to attempting to win the Harry Vardon trophy for the eighth time in his career, a feat that would see him draw level with Colin Montgomerie's record of eight. 

McIlroy is set to battle his former Ryder Cup rival for the title.

Reed was forced to withdraw from the BMW PGA Championship after hurting his wrist in the second round.

"I'm excited," McIlroy told reporters. "I have three events until the end of my DP World Tour season.

"I'm not sure what Patrick's schedule looks like coming up, but I feel like I have enough opportunities."

McIlroy will play the DP World India Championship next month before heading to the Middle East for the Abu Dhabi Championship and the DP World Tour Championship.

His Ryder Cup team-mates, Robert MacIntyre and Matthew Fitzpatrick, have expressed concern with staging the events in the region due to the ongoing conflict between the United States, Iran and Israel. 

McIlro said he has no such concerns. 

"[I am] excited for the opportunity, and it would be obviously amazing to match Monty's record," he said.

McIlroy endured another frustrating afternoon at Wentworth.

He hit the turn in 2-under par and was fortunate to escape the 11th with just a bogey after hitting what appeared to be a shank with his third.

McIlroy made birdies at 12, 14 and 17 but failed to take advantage of the 18th.

"I had my chances out there," said McIlroy. "I putted okay for the most part this week but I missed a lot of putts.

"And yeah, wish I had some of those putts back, but I have to be encouraged with where my game is at.

"Hit the ball really well today.

"Hit the best I hit it during the course of the week and encouraged with the signs that my game is going and just have to keep working at it."

McIlroy was playing alongside Adam Scott and it looked as though Aaron Rai was going to emerge victorious after the Englishman reached 15-under by the 14th hole. 

But the PGA Championship winner played the final two holes too cautiously.

"I saw Aaron was playing the last at 15 and wasn't able to make a birdie," said McIlroy.

"So yeah, I thought 16, 17 was going to have a really good chance.

"When I got to 14-under after the 14th hole, I thought if I can birdie 15 or 16 just before the last two par 5s, when I wasn't able to do that, if I can finish 16, birdie the last two and give the leaders something to think about.

"Didn't quite pan out that way. Didn't hit a very good putt at the last. Overall, it's been a positive."