Rory McIlroy was left to rue yet another tournament near-miss as Billy Horschel overcame the Northern Irishman to win the BMW PGA Championship.
The 37-year-old American alongside McIlroy and South African Thriston Lawrence all ended the tournament at Wentworth on 20 under to force a three-way play-off. The latter was eliminated from contention after he bogeyed the first play-off hole, leaving Horschel and McIlroy to compete for the win. But it was the Florida native who came out on top as they replayed the par-five 18th once more as he eagled to secure his second BMW PGA Championship triumph and the $1.53 million prize.
“My heart was pounding on the last couple shots, the last couple holes, and especially in the play-off, but it’s always fun being in those situations,” Horschel said afterwards. “That’s what we work so hard for, and that’s what I’ve always wanted to be, in situations like that, going against the best players in the world and hopefully be able to come out on top on the day.
“I think the world of him [McIlroy]. I think he’s the best player in our generation.
“He’s done so much for the game. You see the support he has here; you see the support he has around the world. He has the most crowds and supporters outside of Tiger Woods.
“I do feel for him a little bit that it was another opportunity that he wasn’t able to get it done but, at the same time, to battle him head-to-head and with other guys on the last play-off hole, I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
For the World No. 3, it marks yet another near-miss, adding to the string of disappointments he’ll be left to reflect on this season.
Speaking to Sky Sports afterwards, McIlroy said: “Last week was a tough one. This one, I leave with my head held high with the way I played the last hole trying to make three – I mean, I played the play-off holes perfectly.
“Two weeks in a row I’ve played well, just not quite well enough. But I’m happy with where my game is and happy where it’s trending.
“It just shows the standard out here. If you slip up just a little bit or don’t make a birdie on a crucial hole, someone is always waiting to take advantage of that.”
What is the next event?
The next event on the DP World Tour schedule is the acciona Open de España presented by Madrid taking place between 26-29 September at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.