American Billy Horschel watched the 18th hole to win the BMW PGA Championship title on Sunday at a tense time in a tournament with huge implications for the European Ryder Cup team.
Horschel was tied for first in a group at 18 under the pair as he placed on his third shot at par-5 18 at Wentworth, but produced a sensational wedge shot for a nailed bird to complete a round dazzling from 7 to under 65 years.
Englishwoman Laurie Canter needed a birdie on the 18th to force a playoff, but was unable to do so and ended up in a tie for second place alongside Welshman Jamie Donaldson and Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who shot a magnificent closing 64.
Horschel, whose bag carries the colors and emblem of English Premier League club West Ham United, is only the second American to win the title, following in the footsteps of Arnold Palmer.
He then said he would celebrate by going to dinner with the International Declan Rice of West Ham, England.
“I’m really speechless, and that’s weird,” said Horschel, who has missed the U.S. Ryder Cup team. “Winning this event means a lot, this is like the Player Championship. I knew if I could observe one of the last three holes I could win and one was enough.”
Aside from the title at stake in the European Tour’s flagship tournament, the race to destroy the remaining four automatic places on the European team for this month’s Ryder Cup offered an intriguing intrigue throughout the week.
Austrian Bernd Wiesberger, who required a final in the top 50 to book his Ryder Cup debut, finished with a level 72 equalizer, which was enough for a twenty-something quota and a seat on the plane. .
“It’s unreal, you know, it was really hard today,” Wiesberger told Sky Sports. “You try to stay away from all the noise, but it was hard. I had to grind. But at the end of the day, I’m very proud and relieved to form the team.”
Justin Rose did not claim the title, which would have elevated him to the Ryder Cup team on merit, although his majestic final round 65 with a fourth place at 16 will probably have impressed European captain Padraig Harrington.
Rose, leader of several Ryder Cup victories, almost produced an albatross on the 18th when his second shot ended just a foot from the hole.
Irishman Shane Lowry was sweating as he received the captain’s selection for the Ryder Cup after achieving the goal of the top eight he required to secure an automatic place.
Lee Westwood’s sad round of 77 had opened the door for Lowry to climb over him in the race to grab one of the last remaining places, but Lowry hesitated in the back nine.
After tying for fifth place, Lowry pushed for 14th and followed him with a double push, finishing in 12th under and 17th.
Five players – Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland and Paul Casey – had already qualified for the Ryder Cup on Whistling Straits from September 24-26.
Harrington will name his three picks later Sunday, with favorites Rose, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia to get the head of a team spot to travel to Wisconsin.