Billy Horschel clinched victory at the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday, securing his win over Rory McIlroy with an eagle on the second playoff hole. This marks Horschel’s second triumph at this prestigious event, having previously won in 2021, making him the first American to achieve this feat twice.
Thriston Lawrence from South Africa also contended for the title, finishing with a 7-under 65 on Sunday. However, a bogey on the opening playoff hole ended his chances.
| PLACE | PLAYER | TOTAL TO PAR | ROUND 4 SCORE |
| 1 | Billy Horschel* | -20 | 67 |
| T-2 | Rory McIlroy | -20 | 67 |
| T-2 | Thriston Lawrence | -20 | 65 |
| T-4 | Aaron Rai | -17 | 67 |
| T-4 | Matthew Baldwin | -17 | 69 |
| T-4 | Matteo Manassero | -17 | 73 |
“I’m thrilled, excited (about) the way I played,” Horschel remarked. “I just battled out there today.” After a bogey on the 15th hole, he managed to birdie the last two holes in regulation to extend his round. Assistance came from Lawrence, who made par on the final two holes, and McIlroy, who finished with an even score on No. 18.
“I knew I was a little bit behind the eight-ball… Listen, Rory could have easily birdied the last hole; he was in prime position to,” Horschel noted. “There was a lot of luck on my side.”
Despite struggling with his swing throughout the week, Horschel expressed his determination. “I grind my butt off. I always do, I always will. I will give everything I’ve got on every shot and grind it out. I did that today. Listen, I hit some really good shots out there, I made some really good putts. That’s what you’ve got to do when you’re not firing on all cylinders.”
McIlroy temporarily took the lead with a crucial eagle on No. 17, aiming for his second BMW PGA Championship title ten years after his first. He birdied the final playoff hole but was unable to surpass Horschel’s eagle.
Following a second-place finish at the Irish Open the previous week, where he lost to Rasmus Hojgaard by one stroke after narrowly missing an eagle putt, McIlroy reflected on his recent performances. “Two weeks in a row, I’ve played well. Just not quite well enough. But you know, happy with where my game is and happy where it’s trending. I’ve got a week off here, and then get back at it in the Dunhill in a couple weeks.”
This season has been challenging for McIlroy, marked by a significant setback at the U.S. Open and a missed cut at the Open Championship.
While Horschel celebrated his victory, he also expressed sympathy for McIlroy. “(I’m) a little disappointed,” he said. “Rory’s a really good friend of mine. I think the world of him, I think he’s a generational talent. I know how close he’s been this year, so I can feel for him.”
