Horschel beats McIlroy in play-off to win PGA Championship23rd September 2024
-20 R McIlroy (NI), T Lawrence (SA), B Horschel (US); -17 M Manassero (Ita), M Baldwin (Eng), A Rai (Eng); -16 U Coussaud (Fra), N Norgaard (Den), A Rozner (Fra)
Selected: -13 M Armitage (Eng), T McKibbin (NI); -12 T Fleetwood, R MacIntyre (Sco), E Pepperell (Eng), M Wallace (Eng)
America’s Billy Horschel held his nerve to beat Rory McIlroy in a thrilling play-off and clinch the BMW PGA Championship title.
Horschel, McIlroy and Thriston Lawrence entered a three-way play-off at Wentworth in Surrey after ending their final rounds on 20 under par.
A bogey from Lawrence on the first hole made it a two-horse race and Horschel wrapped up victory with an eagle.
“I’m thrilled and excited for the way I played,” Horschel said.
“At the same time I’m a little disappointed – Rory is a great friend of mine and he’s a generational talent. I know how close he’s been this year so I can feel for him.
“I needed a bit of luck. There was a lot of luck on my side to get this victory today.”
It is the second time Horschel has won the PGA Championship, having also come out on top at Wentworth in 2021.
Horschel and Northern Ireland’s McIlroy started the day in a tie for second, three shots shy of leader Matteo Manassero.
Lawrence was first into the clubhouse, setting the target for others to chase, following a fine seven-under-par 65 including seven birdies.
However, his failure to find a birdie on any of the final two closing par fives left the door ajar for McIlroy and Horschel to match his score for the week.
For McIlroy, it is another agonising near miss after being beaten in tight fashion on several occasions this year, including at last week’s Irish Open and when falling away in the latter stages during his pursuit of a fifth major at the US Open.
English duo Matt Baldwin and Aaron Rai had to settle for 17 under, finishing in a three-way tie for second with Italy’s Manassero.