American Billy Horschel spoiled residence followers’ hopes for a Rory McIlroy-inspired social gathering 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 practically 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 green bunker and water to be the primary eradicated as McIlroy and Horschel calmly rolled in birdies to power a second further 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 in the course of the third spherical on Saturday.
After being offered with the coveted trophy, Horschel stated: “My coronary heart was pounding on the final couple photographs, and the final couple holes, and particularly within the play-off, however it’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 one of the best gamers on the earth and hopefully be capable of come out on prime 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 respect 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 match. It’s at all times one among my most particular weeks of the 12 months. I get pleasure from 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 residence once I come right here.”
For McIlroy, this newest loss is available in a 12 months 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 somewhat greater than it has finished previously”
Regardless of the heartbreak, the Irishman continues to be decided to seek out the positives. “Two weeks in a row, I’ve performed effectively. Simply not fairly effectively sufficient. Look, it’s golf and I’m enjoying effectively,” the 35-year-old stated.
“This stuff occur. It’s simply the sport is testing me somewhat greater than it has finished previously however that’s advantageous. All I can do is preserve displaying up and attempting to play the golf that I’ve been enjoying and in the end it’s going to finish up in a win.”
He added: “The good factor is there’s subsequent 12 months and the 12 months after and the 12 months after and the 12 months after. Hopefully the opposite years will probably be little extra productive or somewhat bit higher. I’ve definitely had years the place I’ve felt worse. Once you get your self in rivalry a lot, inevitably you’re going to have disappointments. Sadly, I’m simply getting somewhat too used to feeling what it’s like once 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 formidable week at Wentworth.
To see all of the scores from the BMW PGA Championship, click on right here.
