Another week, another kick in the you know whats for Rory McIlroy. At this rate, he’ll require a protective cod piece for all the sore ones that have been coming his way.
After last week’s agonising loss at the Irish Open in his own backyard, McIlroy, the self-proclaimed ‘nearly man’, suffered a play-off defeat in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last night.
Hats off to Billy Horschel, though. The American may have tossed a star-spangled spanner into McIlroy’s works but the 37-year-old certainly earned his West Course stripes. Again.
After his maiden win in this parish two years ago – the first by a player from the USA since the great Arnold Palmer back in 1975 - Horschel doubled up in this storied neck of the woods.
It was another wonderful Wentworth Sunday of dramatic twists and turns. As Matteo Manassero, who led by three overnight and was looking to repeat his 2013 BMW PGA conquest, dropped away, Horschel, McIlroy and the gallant South African, Thriston Lawrence, all finished tied at the top on 20-under aggregates.
Lawrence, who came barging into contention with a rousing seven-under 65, was the first man to fall at the opening play-off hole – the par-5 18th - when his approach to the green from the bunker spun back into the water.
McIlroy made a brave up-and-down from the bunker for his birdie, but Horschel held his nerve to make a birdie of his own to force another trip down the 18th.
It was Horschel, an avid fan of the Hammers of West Ham United, who delivered, well, the hammer blow.
With both players on the green in two, McIlroy saw his eagle attempt from around 30-feet narrowly miss. Horschel, from just inside his rival, made no mistake and trundled in his putt for a three to finish with a flourish.
The DP World Tour’s most prized title, and a cheque for some £1.15 million, belonged to Horschel. A golden eagle, indeed.
In his golfing home from home, this was another special moment for the popular Floridian. He was gracious in his glory too.
“I’m thrilled, excited for the way I played and battled out there today but at the same time a little disappointed,” he said. “Rory’s a really good friend of mine and I think the world of him.
“I think he’s a generational talent and I know how close he’s been this year so I feel for him. It’s always one of my most special weeks of the year. I enjoy coming here. I feel a sense of ease. I feel a sense of calm. I know I’m not from the UK or London or England, but I feel almost at home when I come here.”
It was Lawrence, a four-time winner on the DP World Tour, who had set the clubhouse target as things began to heat up on the final day.
The 27-year-old, who finished fourth in July’s Open, had chipped in twice for birdies on the first and second but his failure to capitalise on the closing par-5s would prove costly.
With the door ajar, McIlroy, the BMW PGA champion a decade ago, holed a mighty putt for eagle on the 17th to join Lawrence at the summit but he couldn’t find a decisive birdie on the last in his 67.
Horschel, meanwhile, saw his approach to the last spin back and almost go in for a winning eagle but his birdie for a 67 was enough to join the play-off from where he would emerge triumphant.
“My heart was pounding on the last couple of holes, and especially in the play-off, but it’s always fun being in those situations,” Horschel said.
“That’s what I’ve worked so hard for. To be in situations like that, going against the best players in the world.”
McIlroy, whose year of near misses also included that harrowing loss at the US Open, was philosophical in defeat.
“The game is testing me a little more than it has done in the past, but that’s fine,” he conceded. “Today I played the play-off holes perfectly. But 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..”
Away from the drama at the sharp end, Robert MacIntyre finished as the top Scot in a share of 12th on a 12-under aggregate.
The 28-year-old made an eagle on the third – his fourth eagle of the week – and signed off with a 70.
Ewen Ferguson closed with a 68 for 11-under while Grant Forrest posted a 70 for a 10-under total.
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