American Billy Horschel spoiled residence 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 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 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 shocking 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 introduced 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, nevertheless it’s all the time enjoyable being in these conditions. That’s what I’ve labored so arduous for, and that’s the place I’ve all the time needed to be, in conditions like that, going towards the very best gamers on the earth and hopefully be capable of come out on high on the day. Fortunately I used to be in a position to 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 help that I get wherever I play within the UK, whether or not it’s at The Open or this match. It’s all the time one in every of my most particular weeks of the 12 months. 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 virtually at residence after 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 in addition ultimately week’s Irish Open, the place he got here up one shot shy of a play-off.
“The sport is testing me slightly greater than it has performed previously”
Regardless of the heartbreak, the Irishman continues to be decided to seek out the positives. “Two weeks in a row, I’ve performed properly. Simply not fairly properly sufficient. Look, it’s golf and I’m enjoying properly,” the 35-year-old mentioned.
“This stuff occur. It’s simply the sport is testing me slightly greater than it has performed previously however that’s high quality. All I can do is maintain displaying up and making an attempt to play the golf that I’ve been enjoying and ultimately it’s going to finish up in a win.”
He added: “The great 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 shall be little extra productive or slightly bit higher. I’ve actually had years the place I’ve felt worse. While you get your self in rivalry a lot, inevitably you’re going to have disappointments. Sadly, I’m simply getting slightly 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.
