American Billy Horschel spoiled dwelling followers’ hopes for a Rory McIlroy-inspired get together after beating the four-time main champion on the second gap of a play-off on the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
The 37-year-old Floridian, who almost holed out his third shot on the final in regulation play, ended with a birdie-birdie end to climb alongside South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence and McIlroy at 20 underneath earlier than the trio returned to the 18th tee for the play-off.
Lawrence blinked first after a wayward tee-shot after which discovered the golf green bunker and water to be the primary eradicated as McIlroy and Horschel calmly rolled in birdies to drive a second additional gap.
They each discovered the inexperienced in two earlier than McIlroy narrowly slid by his eagle effort, earlier than Horschel holed a surprising eagle putt of his personal to win the occasion for the second time in 4 years.
The 2021 champion had been an image of consistency on the well-known Surrey venue, carding 4 rounds within the 60s, together with a career-best seven straight birdies through the third spherical on Saturday.
After being offered with the coveted trophy, Horschel mentioned: “My coronary heart was pounding on the final couple pictures, and the final couple holes, and particularly within the play-off, but it surely’s at all times enjoyable being in these conditions. That’s what I’ve labored so arduous for, and that’s the place I’ve at all times needed to be, in conditions like that, going in opposition to the most effective gamers on the earth and hopefully be capable of come out on high on the day. Fortunately I used to be capable of nip Rory and Thriston and are available away with the victory.”
Horschel, who sports activities a West Ham emblem on his golf bag, added: “I recognize the followers and all of the assist that I get wherever I play within the UK, whether or not it’s at The Open or this event. It’s at all times one among my most particular weeks of the yr. I take pleasure in coming right here. I really feel a way of ease. I do know I’m not from the UK or England, however I really feel nearly at dwelling once I come right here.”
For McIlroy, this newest loss is available in a yr of close to misses, most notably on the US Open, and likewise ultimately week’s Irish Open, the place he got here up one shot shy of a play-off.
“The sport is testing me a bit of greater than it has achieved prior to now”
Regardless of the heartbreak, the Irishman continues to be decided to seek out the positives. “Two weeks in a row, I’ve performed nicely. Simply not fairly nicely sufficient. Look, it’s golf and I’m taking part in nicely,” the 35-year-old mentioned.
“These items occur. It’s simply the sport is testing me a bit of greater than it has achieved prior to now however that’s effective. All I can do is preserve exhibiting up and making an attempt to play the golf that I’ve been taking part in and eventually it’s going to finish up in a win.”
He added: “The good factor is there’s subsequent yr and the yr after and the yr after and the yr after. Hopefully the opposite years will probably be little extra productive or a bit of bit higher. I’ve actually had years the place I’ve felt worse. While you get your self in competition a lot, inevitably you’re going to have disappointments. Sadly, I’m simply getting a bit of too used to feeling what it’s like while you do, however hopefully the tide will flip.”
English pair Matthew Baldwin and Aaron Rai completed in a tie for third at 17 underneath par with third spherical chief Matteo Manassero, who continued his comeback on the DP World Tour with a powerful week at Wentworth.
To see all of the scores from the BMW PGA Championship, click on right here.
