Billy Horschel Outlasts Rory McIlroy, Thriston Lawrence, to Win BMW PGA Championship

Billy Horschel was one down from Rory McIlroy and Thriston Lawrence walking to the 18th tee box on Sunday at Wentworth. He needed a birdie to have a chance.

He nearly found an eagle, but when he tapped in his birdie, he was in a three-way playoff with McIlroy and Lawrence, vying for his second title at the BMW PGA Championship.

Lawrence would get himself in some trouble in the first playoff hole, effectively taking himself out of contention for the title. McIlroy and Horschel would move on to play one more hole. McIlroy would birdie the hole, but Horschel would find a lengthy eagle to take the title, giving Rory another second-place finish this year.

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/QOnelwFomu

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 22, 2024

Horschel almost had somewhat of a reluctant look on his face as he seemed to apologize without saying or doing much to McIlroy, who has felt heartbreak on several occasions so far in the 2024 season. 

The most notable was a missed putt at the U.S. Open, which would have given the Northern Irishman his first Major Championship title in ten years.

Horschel detailed his thoughts on winning, but also his feelings for McIlroy, who has had a flurry of runner-up finishes this season:

“I am thrilled, excited for the way I played. At the same time, I am a little disappointed. Rory is a really good friend of mine, he is a generational talent, and he has been so close this year. “I feel for him, but I am also excited.”

It is Horschel’s second time winning the BMW PGA Championship.

As for McIlroy, he will go back to the drawing board, and despite not bringing home a win, his ability to consistently be in the running each week is a positive sign:

“I think if I keep working on the things I am working on on the range, that only bodes well for the future. To work on my swing but still go out there and have a really good chance to win, I am proud of that. I’m excited for the future. I’m playing well. I keep giving myself chances…I just have to dust myself off and get myself ready for the last three events of the year.”

Cover Image via CBS Sports