Rory McIlroy could not fault his performance in the thrilling play-off which saw Billy Horschel claim his second BMW PGA Championship title at Wentworth Club.
The World Number Three was in contention throughout the four days at Virginia Water, but did not hit the front until his 71st hole when he drained a 46-foot eagle putt to join South Africa's Thriston Lawrence at the summit at 20 under with the par-five last to play.
He avoided the greenside water hazard with his second but had to settle for a par before playing partner Horschel, who nearly holed out with his approach into the 18th hole, ended with a birdie-birdie finish to force a three man play-off.
Lawrence was the first to be eliminated after a wayward tee-shot at the last eventually led to finding the water, while McIlroy and Horschel rolled in birdies to set up another extra hole.
The Northern Irishman came to Surrey on the back of a second-placed finish at last week's Amgen Irish Open after Rasmus Højgaard's stunning 65 saw him lift the title as McIlroy endured another near-miss.
Both found the green in two after brilliant tee-shots and approaches, leaving the rivals with eagle putts. McIlroy slid his effort just high of the cup before Horschel sank his attempt to secure his second Rolex Series win at this venue in four years.
"I mean last week was a tough one," McIlroy said. "This one, I left there with my head held high with the way I played the last hole trying to make three, and then yeah, I mean, played the play-off holes perfectly, really, a couple of birdies.
"But it just shows the standard out here. If you slip up just a little bit or don't make a birdie on a crucial hole, someone is always waiting to take advantage of that and look, I had my chance in regulation, had a really awkward yardage for my second.
"I tried to turn a four iron over. I mean, I was lucky that it didn't go in the water. Still got up and down to win in regulation, but I was pretty lucky the ball stayed up and I could make par and get into the play-off.
"Just one of those things. But played the two play-off holes really well and especially the four iron I hit into the green on the second play-off hole was great.
"Hit a good putt that just slipped by on the right and Billy made his and that was the difference.
"Two weeks in a row, I've played well. Just not quite well enough. But you know, happy with where my game is and happy where it's trending. I've got a week off here, and then get back at it in the Dunhill in a couple weeks."
