Heading into the final round of the DP World Tour's flagship event, it was Matteo Manassero who led by three strokes following a 54-hole tournament record of 18-under-par.
However, the Italian struggled on Sunday and, consequently, that opened the door for multiple challengers to come out of the pack, as the likes of Thriston Lawrence, Aaron Rai, Rory McIlroy and Billy Horschel mounted charges over the final 18 holes.
With nine holes remaining, it was Lawrence and Rai who led, with both men well under-par as they battled it out over the West Course. For Rai, though, he would rue a run of pars and a late bogey, as he finished in a share of fourth.
That meant it was Lawrence's to lose and, with a birdie at the 16th, he led by two strokes from McIlroy and Horschel. It was set up to be an epic and, after Lawrence parred in to set the target at 20-under, only the experienced duo could catch the South African.
Playing the 17th, McIlroy hit two stunning shots to find the green at the par 5 and, striking his putt from 45-feet, it never left the cup, with the eagle putting the four-time Major winner into a share of the lead. What's more, playing partner, Horschel, managed to birdie to get one back going down the 18th.
The drama wasn't done there, as Horschel very nearly holed his third from 90-yards for an eagle, whilst McIlroy nearly found the water with his second. The par for McIlroy and birdie for Horschel meant we headed to a three-way playoff, with all three finishing 20-under.
At the first, Lawrence found the water, whilst both Horschel and McIlroy birdied. Then, at the second playoff hole, the duo found the centre of the green, as both had makeable eagle opportunities.
Striking his putt first, McIlroy's attempt grazed the right edge, with his birdie leaving it up to Horschel to hole his putt for the win. Lining it up, the ball rolled end-over-end and never looked like missing and, as it got to the hole, it was Horschel's prize for a second time, with the 37-year-old becoming the first American to win at Wentworth twice.
BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERBOARD
-20 Billy Horschel*
-20 Rory McIlroy, Thriston Lawrence
-17 Matteo Manassero, Aaron Rai, Matthew Baldwin
-16 Antoine Rozner, Ugo Coussaud, Niklas Norgaard
*Won with eagle at second playoff hole
Updates from...
AARON RAI TAKES THE LEAD
After a five-under-par front nine of 30, Aaron Rai birdies the par 5 12th and takes a one stroke lead from Matteo Manassero, who has just bogeyed the par 3 10th. Along with Manassero, Thriston Lawrence has birdied the 11th to move to 17-under for the tournament, which is just one back of leader, Rai.
SOLID APPROACH FROM MANASSERO
Manassero hasn't played well today but, with his second shot into the 11th, he is clearly thinking straight. Finding the fairway bunker, he sticks his wedge, from 140-yards, into the heart of the green. If he two putts, he will have the getable par 5 12th next.
In his group, Billy Horschel finds the right side of the green, whilst Rory McIlroy has just hit a monster drive of 335-yards! He's left with just 65-yards, but his approach goes slightly long and he will have a quick birdie putt coming back.
LAWRENCE JOINS THE LEADERS
The South African birdies the par 5 12th and joins Rai at the top of the leaderboard. He is five-under for his round and now 18-under for his tournament.
RAI JUST MISSES BIRDIE AT 13
Another excellent approach from Rai leaves him a 10-foot putt for birdie which, just a few feet out, looks in. However, the putt dives at the end and just misses on the low side. It's a par for the Englishman, who looks in control of his game.
SUPERB FROM HORSCHEL
The American has produced a stunner into the par 5 12th, with his 7-iron all over the flag. It pitches just a few feet to right and Horschel will have a great look at eagle and to move to 18-under.
After yet another monster drive, McIlroy pulls his approach with a 9-iron left, but still on the green, whilst Manassero has also found the putting surface, albeit a sizeable distance from the cup.
MONSTER FROM RORY
A monster drive from @McIlroyRory at the 12th! 🚀#BMWPGA | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/rJCkAPunUJSeptember 22, 2024
EAGLE FOR HORSCHEL, MANASSERO AND MCILROY BIRDIE
His approach deserved an eagle, and that's exactly what Horschel gets! It's the closet second shot we've seen at the 12th today, with his five-footer finding the centre of the cup. He is now 18-under and in a four-way tie for the lead.
Along with Horschel, Manassero and McIlroy make their birdies, with Manassero 18-under and Rory 17-under. This is going to be an epic finish...
EXCELLENT FROM HORSCHEL
Both Manassero and McIlroy miss the green at the par 4 13th and will have work to do to save their pars. It's a different story for Horschel, though, who puts another approach close, with his shot from 160-yards finishing 12-foot from the flag.
LAWRENCE LEADS
Lawrence leads in Wentworth! He puts a nice approach in at the par 3 14th and, faced with a right-to-left putt, he rolls it in for a sixth birdie of the day to move to 19-under. He leads by one!
MISSED BIRDIE PUTT FOR RAI
Playing the treacherous 15th, Rai hits two excellent blows to set up a birdie try. The line looks perfect but just comes up a few rolls short. It is a solid par, though, with the Englishman still in a great spot to set a target.
Back on the 15th tee, Lawrence pulls his tee shot left but gets away with it, as the ball comes to the rest in the first cut. He'll have a line to the flag and a chance to find the green.
HORSCHEL SHARES THE LEAD
It's all action here at Wentworth! After a nice approach, Horschel rolls in the putt for a very handy eagle-birdie run on the 12th and 13th. He's timing this run nicely and, if he were to win, he would become the first American to claim victory at Wentworth twice.
In his group, Manassero makes a crucial up-and-down via an excellent putt. McIlroy, after an easy chip, rolls in his short putt. He will need to make a run soon, you feel, as he falls two back of Lawrence and Horschel.
HOW THINGS STAND...
-19 Lawrence -19 Horschel -18 Rai-18 Manassero-17 McIlroy Coming down the stretch at Wentworth. #BMWPGA | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/eu09TARS2oSeptember 22, 2024
MCILROY MAKES BIRDIE
Huge putt on the 14th from Rory. He hits a great approach on the par 3 and rolls in the putt to get the crowds making noise! He's birdied two of the last three holes and is now just one back of Lawrence and Horschel.
Speaking of Horschel, he misses his birdie attempt at the 14th, with a par keeping him 19-under. Up ahead, having got away with his tee shot on the 15th, Lawrence puts an iron from 200-yards into the heart of the green. He's faced with a mid-range putt which never looks in on impact. It's perfect weight, though, and he saves par on a potential banana skin hole.
RORY ON A CHARGE?
Has Rory got the swagger back? After a birdie at the 14th he stripes his tee shot down the centre of the fairway at the tough 15th. The same can't be said for Horschel, who blocks his drive well right and, although he's missed the ditch, it will likely be a chip out. Last up is Manassero, who also blocks his drive right and, this time around, he isn't as lucky, with the ball finding the penalty area on the fly.
NORGAARD SHOOTS 64
Although he shot a three-over-par round of 75 on Saturday, Niklas Norgaard has fired back with an eight-under-par round of 64 to sit at 16-under. Another decent week for the Dane, who claimed the British Masters just a few weeks ago.
SOLID APPROACH FROM MCILROY
From 216-yards, McIlroy finds the 15th green safely with a long iron and will have around 20-foot for the birdie. In his group Manassero has to take a drop, whilst Horschel is forced to chip out.
HUGE FROM LAWRENCE
Is that the putt that puts his name on the trophy? There's still plenty of shots to be played, but Lawrence has just dealt a huge blow at the par 4 16th! Faced with 26-feet for birdie, the South African drains the putt and becomes the first player to move to 20-under.
MANASSERO FLAILING
Manassero's hopes of a victory seem to be coming to an end. Taking a drop, he's left with 240-yards, with his shot getting extremely lucky! It strikes a tree that stops it from going out of bounds. To be fair to the Italian, his fourth shot is very good and leaves him a good chance to save bogey.
On the 17th, Lawrence has manufactured an excellent tee shot at the tough par 5 and will have a great chance to add another birdie to his day and extend his lead further.
THE WINNING PUTT?
The first player to -20! @ThristonL takes the solo lead at Wentworth.#BMWPGA | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/EPBKTXkuR6September 22, 2024
LAWRENCE LEADS BY TWO
And, just like that, Lawrence's lead is two strokes! On the 15th, Horschel's par putt comes up just short and, after tapping-in, the American moves back to 18-under. In regards to McIlroy, he has an opportunity to get to 19-under, but his birdie attempt slides by the right side.
LAWRENCE IN GOOD SHAPE
After a superb tee shot on the 17th, Lawrence fires a driving iron around 50-yards short of the green and will have another good look at making birdie. Elsewhere, on the green, Rai's charge has been halted, with five consecutive pars meaning he remains at 18-under.
SOLID FROM RORY
At the 16th, McIlroy puts a wedge to around 15-feet and will have a good look at birdie. Like Manassero, you feel Horschel's momentum has dwindled as, from the same distance, his approach goes over the back of the green, with Manassero putting his shot on the short stuff, albeit far away.
MISTAKE FROM LAWRENCE
That pitch shot from the 27-year-old looked nervy... It looked a straight forward shot but, on impact, the ball doesn't bite and runs through the back. It seemed to be slightly thin and, on the fourth shot, Lawrence doesn't cover himself in glory, as a routine chip finishes four-feet from the flag.
RORY MISSES AT 16
It's a great chance for a birdie at the 16th, but McIlroy's attempt never looks like it's going in. Missing on the high side, he taps in for a par and remains two back of Lawrence, as does Horschel, who makes an up-and-down from the back of the green.
LAWRENCE TIDIES UP
After a nervy few minutes, Lawrence rolls in his par putt and leads by two shots going down the last. Realistically, McIlroy and Horschel will need to find a birdie, at worse, to challenge him over the final few holes.
FAIRWAY FINDERS
Teeing it up first, McIlroy finds the fairway on the right side of the 17th. He might be able to reach the green and, knowing Rory, he will likely go for it if he can. Horschel is up next and, although he lets go of his driver instantly, his tee shot finds the fairway, as does Manassero's, with all three on the short grass.
RAI FINDS THE DRINK
It's a brave, brave shot from Rai at the 18th. Needing to eagle the last to share the lead with Lawrence, the Englishman goes at the flag but it doesn't fade. He finds the water and his hopes of a win have gone.
MCILROY FINDS THE GREEN AT 17
The four-time Major winner nails his fairway wood at the 17th and it's right down the line of the flag. Landing on the green, McIlroy is unlucky to not get an extra bounce nearer the hole, but it will be an eagle putt for the former BMW PGA Championship winner.
Up ahead, Lawrence hits a fairway for safety off the tee and, although he finds the short grass, he is well back of the green. Once again, he's left with the decision of whether to lay-up or go for it.
EAGLE FOR RORY
Wow! That is spectacular from McIlroy! What an eagle putt at the 71st hole from 45-feet to pull level alongside Lawrence at 20-under!
LAWRENCE LAYS UP
Lawrence has opted to lay up from the fairway and leaves himself a wedge shot from around 120-yards. Back on the 17th, Horschel makes a birdie and moves to 19-under, just one back of Lawrence and McIlroy. He's still not out of it!
LAWRENCE HOLDS ON
It's a great angle in to the 18th flag for Lawrence, but his approach is very conservative and not close to the flag at all. He'll have around 30-feet for birdie and, with Rory safely in the fairway, you could argue that he now has the advantage, especially as Horschel has found the fairway bunker off the tee.
JUST SHORT
That was some attempt from Lawrence, but his birdie try just comes up a few rolls short! He fires a final round 65 to set the target at 20-under and will now wait to see what Rory does on the 18th.
Finally, a big shout out goes to Matthew Baldwin, who birdies the last to finish 17-under and in a share of fourth. That's an excellent result for the Englishman, who has likely secured his DP World Tour card for next season.
THAT'S VERY LUCKY
McIlroy is forced to lay on a 4-iron and he almost finds the water at the final green going for the flag! Thankfully, he comes up just short and will have a tough up-and-down for the victory... Nervy final few moments here, especially as Horschel has been forced to lay up and needs to get up-and-down to join the pair at 20-under.
LUCKY BREAK
Rory's approach to 18 narrowly misses the water 🤯#BMWPGA | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/ThgNcnSEtjSeptember 22, 2024
SO GOOD FROM BILLY
What a finish that almost was for Horschel! From 90-yards, he plays an unbelievable wedge that pitches past the flag and almost spins in for an eagle! That would have got him to 21-under and into the outright lead.
Rory's up next...
CHANCE FOR THE WIN
Not his best but, coming from the rough and with water short, you can't blame McIlroy for firing that pitch past the flag. He will have around 15-feet, downhill, for the victory.
SO GOOD FROM BILLY
Billy Horschel nearly holes out to take the lead on 18! #BMWPGA | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/7ENELmBpVuSeptember 22, 2024
WE HEAD TO A PLAYOFF
McIlroy's attempt isn't even close as he misses on the right side. That's a final round 67 for Rory, who produced a gutsy eagle at the 17th to force the initiative.
It's not just McIlroy who will be in the playoff either! Horschel makes a clutch four down the 18th to join McIlroy and Lawrence in the playoff, which will be played down the par 5 18th.
The final player in the group is Manassero, who pars the last to finish in a share of fourth at 17-under. That is some performance from the Italian, who should be proud of his efforts.
WHO IS YOUR MONEY ON?
Looking at the scores on 18 today, Horschel birdied, whilst Rory and Lawrence made pars. Obviously, with it being a playoff, anything can happen, but my money would be on the American, who has birdied the final hole on both Saturday and Sunday.
ADVANTAGE HORSCHEL AND McIlroy
Horschel steps up first and pounds his drive into position A1. He's right at the end of the fairway and has a clear line to the flag, some 210-yards from the green.
Up next is Lawrence, who carves his tee shot well right and won't be able to get to the green from there. A lay-up won't be easy either, with the South African needing to hit a big fade just to get it back in play.
Finally, it's the turn of McIlroy, who also smashes his 3-wood into a great position. Importantly, he will hit in to the green before Horschel, so could put some pressure on the American with a good shot.
LAWRENCE FINDS THE BUNKER
It's a tricky shot and, aiming at the hospitality tents, Lawrence tops his fairway wood off a bare lie. It finishes in the bunker and well back of the green.
STILL ANYONE'S
It's Rory's turn to hit and, striking a long iron, it finishes over the green but on the correct side. He will have plenty of green to work with from the chip shot.
Horschel steps up and pushes his approach right into the greenside bunker. Again, he'll have plenty of green to work with, but both are very difficult up-and-downs for birdie.
LAWRENCE FINDS THE WATER
It was a tough, tough shot, especially from that lie, but Lawrence finds the water. It's a great effort from the 27-year-old, who managed to pitch it on the green, however, the ball spins back into the ditch and his hopes of a title have gone.
SLIGHT COMMOTION
Lawrence takes a drop and sticks his wedge shot next to the flag. That'll be for a bogey, though. Up ahead on the green, Horschel is forced to wait for the South African to mark his ball, with Horschel getting slightly hot-under-the-collar as he was about to hit from the sand.
Anyhow, the American steps up and hits a decent bunker shot that runs seven-feet, or so, past the flag.
NOT BAD FROM McIlroy
It's a tough shot for Rory and, although he gets a bad bounce, his chip finishes pin high. It'll be down to the putting and, putting first, you could say it's advantage Rory...
MCILROY AND HORSCHEL MAKE BIRDIE
Serious bottle from both at the 18th! McIlroy steps up and holes his putt for birdie to put the pressure on Horschel. The American is up to the challenge, though, and steps up to hole his birdie putt to tie the hole with fours.
We say goodbye to Lawrence, who can hold his head up high after a great week at Wentworth.
PERFECT FROM BOTH
Heading back up the 18th, it's a carbon copy of their tee shots from 20 minutes ago. Horschel strikes his driver perfectly, leaving around 200-yards in, whilst Rory pummels a 3-wood that finishes behind his opponent. He is slightly further back than last time, though, so could be in between clubs for his approach...
OUTSTANDING FROM BOTH
He's 235-yards back, but Rory strikes a classy long iron to the centre of the green and leaves himself an eagle putt of about 30-odd feet. The pressure is on Horschel, but he steps up and replicates his opponent's shot, with the 37-year-old leaving himself slightly longer than McIlroy on a similar line.
THE MEASURING STICK IS OUT
I said that Horschel would be first, but the angle doesn't do it justice and it will actually be McIlroy to go first.
GREAT EFFORT FROM RORY
His putt rolls perfectly towards the hole and looks like it may fall in the right hand side. However, it stays straight and misses the right edge by inches. He taps in for the birdie and Horschel now has a putt for eagle and the win.
HORSCHEL WINS
What a putt from Billy Horschel! His eagle attempt never looks anywhere else as it rolls into the cup for the win. It's his second victory at Wentworth, with Horschel becoming the first American to win this tournament twice. What an epic final day!
WHAT A WAY TO WIN
The eagle lands for @BillyHo_Golf 💪He makes eagle on the second play-off hole to beat McIlroy after the Northern Irishman made birdie. #BMWPGA | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/QOnelwFomuSeptember 22, 2024
HISTORY MAKER
What an afternoon at Wentworth... Congratulations to Billy Horschel, a two-time winner of the BMW PGA Championship!
