Frustrated Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler react to PGA Championship near-misses

Scheffler admitted his putting performance was the decisive factor as he and McIlroy failed to mount a late charge against eventual winner Aaron Rai, who produced a blistering finish to claim a maiden major title at Aronimink Golf Club.

Scheffler, who began the final round five shots off the lead while chasing a fifth major title in as many years and a successful title defence, ultimately finished tied-14th after a final-round 69 featuring four birdies and three bogeys.

The world No 1 struggled on the greens throughout the week, ranking 72nd of the 82 players who made the weekend in strokes gained putting, having missed six putts from inside five feet.

"I'm pleased with how I battled," Scheffler told Sky Sports. "I battled really hard all week, I just couldn't get anything going on the greens. I feel like I gave myself a good amount of opportunities.

"Today was the day I hit a lot of greens, I just couldn't hole anything. That was the story of the week for me - it was just a matter of not holing putts.

"When I look back on a week like this, I feel I've had a really good year on the greens and to have a disappointing week on the greens at a major is a tough pill to swallow."

McIlroy was chasing history as he aimed to become the first player since Jordan Spieth in 2015 to win the first two majors of the year, having successfully defended his Masters title last month. He began the final round three shots back.

The world No 2 started brightly, saving par from 10 feet at the first before moving within two of the lead with a birdie at the second, but he could only add one more birdie and a single bogey in a closing 69.

Missed opportunities on the par-fives and a costly mistake at the drivable par-four 13th proved decisive in his challenge.

On the par-5 16th, McIlroy lost his cool with a fan after an errant shot, telling the spectator to "shut the f*** up" before having them removed by security.

When asked what stopped from being closer to Rai's winning total, McIlroy: "I think not birdieing the two par-fives and making the bogey at the drivable par-four 13th.

"Looking back on today's round, I would say those three holes [cost me]."

McIlroy's tied-seventh finish matched his best PGA Championship result since winning the Wanamaker Trophy for a second time in 2014.

"I figured a few things out after Thursday and I played good golf for the last three rounds," McIlroy added. "I felt like I left a couple out there probably Friday and Saturday and then today, so maybe I didn't get the most out of my rounds.

“I played better and I gave myself a chance - that's all I could really ask for after the start. I'll rue three holes today that I didn't take advantage of and that's the difference between (tied-seventh) and having a realistic chance to win.”