McIlroy and Lawrence miss out in play-off

American Billy Horschel had a truly magnificent week at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, Surrey in England (17-22 September) where he made an eagle on the second additional hole in a thrilling three-man play-off with Rory McIlroy and Thriston Lawrence to seize the title.  Horschel’s 20-under par victory is only the second time that an American has ever won the tournament at Wentworth twice.  His last victory was in 2021.

 

Baldwin’s claim to fame

 

Englishman Matthew Baldwin shot to fame on day one at Wentworth with a 7-under par 65.  It was a delightful lead for the 38-year old golfer from Southport who went on to shoot a 67 on day two for a 13-under par score to retain his lead.

 

 

On Saturday, it was Matteo Manassero who played a brillant 9-under par 63 to seize the top position at the BMW PGA Championship.  The 31-year old Italian was really on tip-top-form at Wentworth.  At this point, Billy Horschel and multi-Major winner Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland were in a tie for second on 15-under after third rounds of 65 and 66, respectively.  Sunday will certainly be a really interesting day in Surrey especially as the mixed bag of weather is set to continue the whole week.

 

Manassero shoots 63

 

Billy Horschel made a fabulous start to his final day round on Sunday when he holed a lovely putt for birdie on the opening hole to close the gap to two strokes on the overnight leader Matteo Manassero.

 

The final day of such an important golf tournament can lead to a few unexpected players surging up the leaderboard.  And so it was, rather surprisingly, that England’s Aaron Rai grabbed the outright lead at the par 5, 12th where he made a birdie to claim the number one spot on his own with a score of 18-under par.

 

 

Alas, Rai’s claim to fame did not last long.  A few minutes later South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence also rolled in a putt for birdie at the 12th to share the lead with the Englishman.  Interestingly, a further five players were within two shots of Rai and Lawrence.  So the final few holes were to be extremely interesting.  Could Matteo Manassero fight back?  McIlroy was also absolutely focussed on winning at Wentworth.  And what about Billy Horschel?  Could the American win the BMW PGA Championship for a second time?

 

Well, it was fascinating to see that Manassero nearly chipped in for eagle at the 12th.  However, he had to make do with a birdie.  Horschel holed a five-foot eagle putt at the same hole to create a top-heavy leaderboard.

 

A few holes later Thriston Lawrence seized the lead again with a 13-foot putt at the 14th to get to 19-under.  Horschel soon joined him with a birdie at the 13th.

 

 

The South African then holed a brilliant birdie putt from 36 feet at the 16th to be the first player to card 20-under par and set the mark for the tournament.  Indeed, Lawrence moved two strokes ahead after Horschel bogeyed the 15th hole leaving him on 18-under par with McIlroy and Rai in a tie for second place.

 

Lawrence made two pars at the closing par 5 holes.  Yet McIlroy holed a monster eagle putt at the 17th to draw level with the South African on 20-under.

 

Three-man play-off

 

At the final hole, the Northern Irishman narrowly avoided the water and had to be content with a par and so settle for 20-under par along with Lawrence and Billy Horschel who secured a fabulous birdie-birdie finish.  And so an exciting three-man play-off down the 18th hole was now on the cards in the BMW PGA Championship.

 

Billy Horschel stood at number 24 in the Official World Golf Rankings list at the start of the tournament.  His golf was a picture of consistency at Wentworth especially on Saturday when he recorded seven straight birdies.  Indeed, the 37-year old American shot four rounds in the 60s at Wentworth.

 

Alas, Thriston Lawrence fell by the wayside during the play-off down the 18th after a wayward tee-shot and then a visit to the fairway bunker which he followed with a ball in the water next to the green.  McIlroy and Horschel calmly holed their putts for birdies.  The pair were then transported back to the par-5 18th tee for another play-off.  The golf fans in the crowd were intrigued as to what would happen next.

 

They both found the green in two giving themselves a good chance of eagle.  McIlroy putted first and saw his eagle putt just slip by the hole.

 

Horschel learned an awful lot from the Northern Irishman’s eagle attempt and managed to hole his lengthy putt for victory.  Unbelievable!  The 37-year old from Florida was absolutely delighted as his stunning eagle putt in the play-off earned him his second victory in the BMW PGA Championship for the second time in four years.  It was a wonderful win for America’s Billy Horschel and so inspiring to see such a fascinating play-off with Rory McIlroy and Thriston Lawrence.

 

 

Many congratulations to you Billy Horschel, BMW PGA Champion 2024.  We are truly delighted for you!

 

 

Wendy Hoad

Editor

 

 

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH:  A very proud newly-crowned BMW PGA Champion, Billy Horschel.  MINIS (l-r): Rory McIlroy and Matteo Manassero. BELOW (l-r): Matthew Baldwin and Aaron Rai.  Thriston Lawrence. Billy Horschel.