McIlroy's form fading at the wrong time

Rory McIlroy, favourite to win next month's US Open, may be fined over his angry behaviour yesterday.

He hit a two-over-par 72 and threw his seven iron in frustration at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

It came just one day after the Northern Irishman claimed he was the man to beat at next month's US Open.

Speaking earlier in the week, McIlroy said: "After Congressional last year I started thinking of myself as definitely one of the elite players. I think I moved up to number three in the world at that point.

"From then, I've played pretty consistently, won a couple of times.

"You have to believe that you're the best and I certainly do believe that. It's just a matter of going out there and showing everyone else what I believe."

But after this weeks performance he is in serious danger of missing his second cut in a row and giving his number one spot back to Luke Donald.

After a fantastic record this season - in which he won the Honda Classic, had six top-five finishes and tied-40th at the Masters - the only two missed cuts for the number one are coming right at the wrong time.

With just one tournament left next week before he defends his US Open title, McIlroy will be looking to turn around his recent form to reaffirm his statement of confidence.