He may not have successfully defended his title, but Rory McIlroy left Oak Hill in an upbeat mood on Sunday.

The 2012 PGA Championship winner was on the brink of missing the cut on Friday, but a late rally helped him to stay for the weekend and he then produced a three-under-par 67 on Saturday to put himself back in contention.

However, it wasn't to be as a 70 on Sunday saw him finish the tournament at three under par and seven shots behind champion Jason Dufner.

The 24-year-old, though, is pleased with how he responded when he was under pressure.

"I played the best golf of the week today," said McIlroy. "I hit some really good drives and really good iron shots. Didn't quite putt as well as I did the first three days, but really, really happy with my game going into the next few weeks.

"It's a very big step in the right direction. I saw a lot of great signs out there today. Hopefully I can just bring that through to the next few weeks and have a strong finish to the season.

"I made a big number on five (although) I hit a good shot, exactly what I wanted to do with it. It just pitched in the exact wrong place. Everything else feels pretty good."

Golf 365