Billy Horschel triumphed over Rory McIlroy in a playoff to claim his second BMW PGA Championship title in four years, after a dramatic final day at Wentworth.
Horschel secured victory with an eagle on the second extra hole, winning the DP World Tour’s flagship event. He, McIlroy, and Thriston Lawrence had all finished tied at 20-under-par.
Lawrence was eliminated on the first playoff hole after his third shot spun off the green and into the water, while McIlroy and Horschel both made birdies.
On the second extra hole, both players reached the par-five 18th green in two shots. McIlroy narrowly missed his eagle attempt, and Horschel capitalized by sinking his from slightly closer.
Lawrence had earlier set the clubhouse lead with a brilliant final-round 65, but he missed opportunities on the closing two par-fives, leaving room for the others to catch up.
McIlroy appeared poised to seize the title after draining a 45-foot eagle putt on the 17th and narrowly avoiding the water on the 18th with his approach shot. However, a weak chip and missed birdie putt from 15 feet kept him from clinching the win. Horschel, whose third shot almost spun into the hole for a winning eagle, tapped in for birdie, setting up the three-way playoff.
It was a solid week for both Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington as both men finished at 12 under, tied for 12th alongside Robert MacIntyre and Tommy Fleetwood.
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