Rory McIlroy climbed two places in the 2025 European Ryder Cup qualification standings after his runner-up finish at the 2024 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club.

The four-time Major Champion was defeated by Billy Horschel on the second play-off hole as he holed a stunning eagle putt to become the first American to win the BMW PGA Championship twice.

McIlroy, who has represented Team Europe seven times in the Ryder Cup, leapfrogged Betfred British Masters winner Niklas Nørgaard and Omega European Masters winner Matt Wallace on the qualification standings to claim second place with 340.30 points.

Click here to see full rankings.

The World Number Three is hoping to make Captain Luke Donald’s team at Bethpage, New York, USA, and it would be his eighth consecutive appearance after making his triumphant debut at the 2010 Ryder Cup.

Despite play-off defeat to Horschel, who claimed his second BMW PGA Championship title in four years, it was a solid week for McIlroy.

VIRGINIA WATER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 18th hole during the first play-off hole during day four of the BMW PGA Championship 2024 at Wentworth Club on September 22, 2024 in Virginia Water, England. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)

The Northern Irishman started the day three shots back from overnight leader Matteo Manassero but would find himself in a tie for the lead after rolling in a huge eagle putt on the par 5 17th hole at Wentworth Club.

After narrowly missing the water with his approach into the 18th hole, McIlroy left himself a 16ft 7in putt to claim victory. However, when the putt failed to drop, McIlroy headed to a play-off with Horschel and South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence.

That’s now back-to-back runner up finishes for McIlroy, as he chases his 18th DP World Tour title.

McIlroy said: “Last week was a tough one but I left there (today) with my head held high.

“I played the play-off holes perfectly, really, making 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.

“Two weeks in a row, I've played well. Just not quite well enough. I’m happy with where my game is and happy with where it's trending.”

VIRGINIA WATER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Billy Horschel of the United States celebrates on the 18th green with Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland following victory after the second play-off hole during day four of the BMW PGA Championship 2024 at Wentworth Club on September 22, 2024 in Virginia Water, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, overnight leader Manassero moved up one place to claim the fifth spot in the rankings on 227.41 points after a tied fourth finish.

As it stands, Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard leads the qualification standings on 376.92 points, with McIlroy (340.30 points), Wallace (317.80 points), Nørgaard (312.11 points), Manassero (227.41 points) and Alfredo Garcia- Heredia (166.80 points) rounding out the six qualifiers.

The qualification process will end at the DP World Tour tournament which concludes on Sunday August 24, 2025.

Click here to find out more about the new European Ryder Cup qualification process.