In a heart-stopping finale, American golfer Billy Horschel emerged victorious at the prestigious BMW PGA Championship, outdueling Rory McIlroy and Thriston Lawrence in a thrilling three-way playoff. The trio had finished the tournament tied at 20 under par, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion at Wentworth on Sunday.
Lawrence, who had carded seven birdies during the final round, was the first to falter, bogeying the 18th hole after finding the water. This left Horschel and McIlroy to battle it out for the championship, with McIlroy seeking his second title at the event after previously winning in 2014.
In a stunning display of nerves and skill, Horschel sank an eagle putt on the 18th hole to claim the title, becoming the first American to win the event twice. The victory earned him a staggering $1.53 million winner’s check.
“I’m thrilled and excited about the way I played,” Horschel said in the aftermath of his win. “At the same time, I feel for Rory – he’s an incredible talent and has been so close this year. I’m grateful for the luck that was on my side today.”
Horschel had begun the final round in second place, three strokes behind leader Matteo Manassero of Italy. However, he remained focused and determined, grinding out each shot to stay in contention.
McIlroy, who had also been playing catch-up throughout the day, made a valiant effort to claim the title. He holed an impressive eagle putt from over 46 feet on the 17th hole to share the lead, but ultimately fell short.
Despite his narrow defeat, McIlroy remained optimistic about his game, saying, “I’m proud of the way I’m working on my swing and still managing to give myself chances to win. I’m excited for the future – I just need to dust myself off and get ready for the last three events of the year.”
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