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Billy Horschel edges Rory McIlroy in playoff to win BMW

Billy Horschel won the BMW PGA Championship after defeating Rory McIlroy and Thriston Lawrence in a three-man thriller at Wentworth on Sunday to take home a winner’s check for $1.53 million.

Three finished at 20 under, and in the first playoff in 11 years, Lawrence bogeyed the 18th after getting wet, leaving Horschel and McIlroy to fight for the title.

McIlroy was looking for a second win after lifting the trophy in 2014 and bogeyed the 18th, but Horschel held on and sunk a stunning eagle to become the first American to win the event twice.

“I’m happy, I’m happy with the way I played,” said Horschel, who also won the event in 2021. “At the same time, I’m disappointed. Rory is my best friend, he’s a generational talent. , and he’s been very close this year.

“I feel for him, but I’m also happy. … It was a lot of luck on our part to get this win today. I’m going to give it my all and grind, and that’s what I did today. .That’s what you have to do when you’re not firing on all cylinders.”

Horschel is tied for second on the night with McIlroy, and both are three strokes behind leader Matteo Manassero of Italy.

South African Lawrence shot a five-putt lead heading into the final round and carded seven birdies, including a superb putt from 26 feet on the 16th.

McIlroy was also playing catchup all day, and he made it count on the 17th, when he holed a perfect eagle putt from over 46 feet to share the lead.

Lawrence had a chance to finish with a birdie, but his putt on the 18th green fell woefully short and he waited to see how McIlroy and Horschel would fare.

McIlroy dodged a bullet when his fairway found rough near the water on the 5th 18th. Although he chipped it over the water for birdie, he was only able to make par.

Horschel had a chance to take the title with an eagle, and he took a knee when he missed the hole and birdied the 18th to force a three-way playoff, where he even holed out to stay in contention. .

For McIlroy, it was the second event in as many weeks where he missed out on a title, after losing the Irish Open to Rasmus Hojgaard by one stroke.

“I think if I continue to work on the things I’m working on in the field, that gives me hope for the future. Working on my swing but still going out there and having a good chance to win, I’m proud of that,” said McIlroy. “I’m excited about the future. I’m playing well. I keep giving myself opportunities. … I have to work hard to get ready for the last three games of the year.”

Manassero, who won the title in 2013 in the last playoff, finished tied for fourth with England’s Matthew Baldwin and Aaron Rai after carding a 1-over 73 that included four bogeys. They were under the age of 17.

A victory would have put Manassero in a position to qualify for next year’s Ryder Cup and claim one of the 10 PGA Tour cards available annually on the European Tour.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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