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PGA Championship final round: Rory McIlroy loses to Billy Horschel on second hole in play-off at Wentworth

E.Wright27 min ago
PGA Championship final round: Rory McIlroy loses to Billy Horschel on second hole in play-off at Wentworth Rory McIlroy goes out from -15 in the final group at 12.05pm looking to make up three shots on leader Matteo Manassero.

Padraig Harrington went out at 10.50pm a further seven shots back while Shane Lowry and Tom McKibbin were first of the Irish on the course at 10.40pm from -7 .

You can follow all the action as it happens below.

Key updates Billy Horschel has won the BMW PGA Championship, beating Rory McIlroy in a play-off It's good! Horschel's eagle putt has just enough legs and drops in. He raises his arms in celebration and sends a wry smile towards his opponent. Speaking after the winning putt, the American has kind words for McIlroy: "I'm thrilled, excited for the way I played. At the same time, a little disappointed. Rory's a really good friend of mine. I think the world of him, he's a generational talent and I know how close he has come." Rory McIlroy cards 20-under-par 67 to go into a three-way play-off with Thirston Lawrence and Billy Horschel The Holywood man putts for par and Horschel follows suits, meaning they finish on 20 under with Lawrence. Don't go anywhere as we're heading back to the 18th. Thirston Lawrence is clubhouse leader on 20 under The South African goes agonisingly close with a big birdie putt but cards a fourth-round 65. Level with McIlroy on 20 under, Lawrence is seven under for the day and the performance would make him a worthy winner. Now all he can do is wait... The eagle has landed! McIlroy takes a share of the lead with world-class putt That is undoubtedly the moment of the day so far. After a magnificent second shot, Rory is on the money with a huge eagle putt on 17. With one hole to go, he and Thirston Lawrence are co-leaders. Could this be his time? One hole left for leader Lawrence The pressure is on for Thriston Lawrence, who puts too much on his third shot on 17 and sends the ball to the far side of the green. He rescues a par to keep two shots between him and the chasing trio, however. On the par-four 16th, McIlroy can't convert the birdie putt and it's another par for him, Horschel and Manassero. Is this getting away from McIlroy? With former Real Madrid footballer Gareth Bale watching on, McIlroy gives his long birdie putt a good go but it isn't to be and that's a par on 15. He trails by two shots with three holes to play. One over for this round, Manassero is back to 17 under after a bogey, and Horschel (-18) has also dropped a shot. Lawrence in the driving seat on 20 under Seven under for the day, Thriston Lawrence has gone ahead of the rest of the field with a superb birdie putt on 16. He leads Horschel by one, with three players – McIlroy, Manassero and Rai – a further shot back. Horschel hits the front, McIlroy holes massive birdie The Florida native follows his eagle with a birdie to take a share of the lead on 19 under. On 14, he narrowly misses another birdie but taps in for par. In the same group, the crowd has just erupted as McIlroy sinks his birdie putt – leaving him one shot off the leaders. It's a par for Manassero. Harrington cards a final round 68 The 53-year-old Dubliner has just wrapped up, his latest 68 putting him on 12 under for the week – alongside fellow Irishman Shane Lowry. Lawrence grabs hold of outright lead Now out on his own, Thirston Lawrence sinks a birdie putt on 14 to take control as the solo leader. There's still a lot of golf to play though. McIlroy closes gap to one shot, Horschel eagles to co-lead After another enormous drive on the par-five 12th, Rory has an eagle attempt but the chip doesn't drop in. He putts to birdie, and with six holes to play, he is one shot off the leaders. Billy Horschel is successful with the eagle, and he has moved up alongside Manassero, who birdies, Rai and Lawrence on 18 under. Lowry and McKibbin sign off Shane Lowry has headed for in the clubhouse after a 67, which currently leaves him on 12 under and tied for 11th. Tom McKibbin, meanwhile, putts for birdie on 18 to card a 66. The 21-year-old finishes on 13 under and is 10th overall as things stand. Two-way tie at the top A very interesting development – Thirston Lawrence of South Africa has just made birdie on 12, his fifth today, to take a share of the lead with Aaron Rai. Rozner joins the chasing pack McIlroy absolutely smashes his tee shot 333 yards down the fairway on the par-four 11th hole. With 66 yards to the pin, he lands his approach to the right of the hole. It's a decent effort with the putter but he will be marking that as a par. Manassero has a slim opportunity to birdie from long range and leaves it short. Horschel reads the green well, but there isn't nearly enough power in his putt for birdie. That will be a par. Leader Aaron Rai also pars on the 13th, while Antoine Rozner of France is up to 16 under. We have ourselves a new leader... Aaron Rai There's a bit of movement to update you on. Manassero has dropped a second shot in a row, with his bogey on 10, to fall back to 17 under alongside Thirston Lawrence. Aaron Rai has jumped to 18 under and is six for the day under through 12 holes, meaning he now occupies top spot. With their latest pars, McIlroy and Horschel stay on 16 under, with England's Matthew Baldwin also joining them. Manassero bogeys, McIlroy and Horschel trail by two at the turn The final group have reached the halfway point, and a second bogey of the afternoon on 9 for Matteo Manassero (-18) means his lead over Rai has been cut to one shot. McIlroy (-16) extends his run of pars to five to go out in 34. Horschel (-16) will have fancied holing for birdie and you can see his frustration after pulling it a little before he settles for par. They're both very much in contention heading for the back nine. Horschel drops a shot, Rai now second on his own Rory's tee shot on 8 heads right and that's into the rough. It's onto the green in two, however, and a fourth successive par. Not for the first time today, Billy Horschel's first shot does not end up where he intended it to. He attempts to scramble for par but has to make do with a bogey. Manassero is happy to take a par, his third on the trot. Meanwhile, Aaron Rai is five under for the day through 10 holes, trailing the Italian by two shots. McIlroy made to work for par Next is the par-four seventh. Rory is in the middle of the fairway from the tee but gets his approach all wrong – with the wedge from 146 yards – and his ball rolls right down the hill on the right side of the green. He judges the long-distance putt really well, following up to save par. Manassero doesn't find the fairway from the tee but then places himself on the edge of the green before also carding a par. Horschel isn't far away with his birdie attempt and it will be a par for him too. Pars all-round for the final group On the sixth hole, McIlroy overcooks his putt for birdie, but makes par. Horschel chips from the edge of the green and it looks good but stops on the lip of the hole. Although Manassero can take a read from Rory, he is unable to birdie. So it's as you were. Aaron Rai is making moves What a start from the Wolverhampton golfer, who sits five under for the day through seven holes. That puts this year's Wyndham Championship winner two behind leader Matteo Manassero. Manassero's confidence boost, McIlroy and Horschel make pars On 5, the second par-three of the day, McIlroy pitches straight into the crowd but gets a lucky bounce before putting for par after a straightforward chip. Rory signs his ball and hands it to the fan who was struck by his shot. Manassero bounces back superbly with a terrific tee shot followed by a short birdie putt. Meanwhile, Horschel is on the green in one but leaves his putt just short and taps in for par. That's two birdies in a row for McIlroy Rory goes for the green with his second shot, but it has dropped into the bunker on the left. His chip from the sand is outstanding, and it's an up and down for birdie. Horschel also lands in the bunker, although it's the one on the opposite side of the green. He overshoots his next and watches his ball roll off the back of the green. A well-struck chip leaves him with a routine putt for par. Manassero struggles somewhat but manages to get on the green in four, giving himself a shot to par. He can't find the line with the putt though, and that will be his fourth bogey this week. So it's Manassero (-18) from Horschel (-17) with McIlroy, Lawrence and now Aaron Rai all on 16 under. Birdie on 3 sees McIlroy instantly recover dropped shot Great response. McIlroy reads the green perfectly, putting left-to-right for a birdie on the par-four third hole. He's back to 15 under. However, leader Manassero (-19) and Horshel (-17) have also birdied so Rory remains four shots back. Rory back to 14 under after bogey Hole 2 is a par-three 152 yards. McIlroy's tee shot lands to the right of the green, leaving him with plenty of work to do. He then misses his par putt and disappointingly cards a bogey, his fourth of the tournament. Manassero and Horschel both make pars. Lawrence and Baldwin put themselves in the mix South Africa's Thirston Lawrence has chipped in on the second to start with two consecutive birdies, while Englishman Matthew Baldwin gets underway with a par-birdie-par. The pair now sit alongside McIlroy on 15 under, with just Horschel (-16) and Manassero (-18) ahead of them. Dylan O'ConnellHere's that winning putt: Dylan O'ConnellBilly Horschel has won the BMW PGA Championship, beating Rory McIlroy in a play-off It's good! Horschel's eagle putt has just enough legs and drops in. He raises his arms in celebration and sends a wry smile towards his opponent. Speaking after the winning putt, the American has kind words for McIlroy: "I'm thrilled, excited for the way I played. At the same time, a little disappointed. Rory's a really good friend of mine. I think the world of him, he's a generational talent and I know how close he has come."Dylan O'ConnellYou could hear a pin drop as McIlroy attempts to eagle. It doesn't turn enough and he taps in for birdie. Horschel has a chance to win this but it's by no means a straightforward putt. Dylan O'Connell234 yards from the pin, Rory goes with the four iron and perfectly executes the shot. He looks happy with that and so he should. The ball is in Horschel's court and, once again, he matches his rival with an excellent second shot. This is captivating to watch. Dylan O'ConnellRound two of the play-off – let's do it. Horschel steps up to the tee box first and again it's a really solid tee shot. Sticking with the three wood, McIlroy also sends it down the fairway. Dylan O'ConnellHorshel is up to the task as the American also holes for birdie. The three-man play-off has been reduced to two as McIlroy and Horschel get ready to do it all again. Dylan O'ConnellNerves of steel! McIlroy pulls out a fabulous putt when it matters most to make birdie. All the pressure now shifts onto the shoulders of Billy Horschel. Dylan O'ConnellTaking a drop, Lawrence plays a wonderful shot. After some words are exchanged about marking his ball, Horschel chips out of the bunker to leave himself a real chance of a birdie. McIlroy sees the bounce of his ball send it off to the left and he will be first to putt for birdie. Rory McIlroy watches Billy Horschel chip from the bunker during their play-offDylan O'ConnellDisaster for Lawrence, who strikes the ball well but watches it spin off the green and into the water. That's advantage to McIlroy and Horschel. Dylan O'ConnellMcIlroy has left himself with a challenging up and down after landing to the right of the green. Horschel, meanwhile, has found a bunker. All three golfers will be really tested here. Dylan O'ConnellLawrence has work to do and pulls out the three wood. It doesn't go to plan, however, and he will play his third shot from the bunker. Dylan O'ConnellHorschel hits a beautiful tee shot that lies in the middle of the fairway. Lawrence pulls to the right and it appears to land on the foot of a spectator. With the three wood, McIlroy fires his ball over the top of the trees to leave himself in a really promising position. Dylan O'ConnellThe three golfers have made their way back to the 18th tee and it will be Billy Horschel up first... Dylan O'ConnellRory McIlroy cards 20-under-par 67 to go into a three-way play-off with Thirston Lawrence and Billy Horschel The Holywood man putts for par and Horschel follows suits, meaning they finish on 20 under with Lawrence. Don't go anywhere as we're heading back to the 18th. Dylan O'ConnellRory is onto the green but will need to produce a difficult clutch putt to make birdie. Horschel, meanwhile, reacts after nearly hitting the flag with his third shot.Dylan O'ConnellOh dear. McIlroy doesn't carry a three iron in his bag, and, on his second shot on 18, gets himself in a spot of bother with the four iron. After Manassero and Horschel take their shots, he will have to chip over the water. Dylan O'ConnellThirston Lawrence is clubhouse leader on 20 under The South African goes agonisingly close with a big birdie putt but cards a fourth-round 65. Level with McIlroy on 20 under, Lawrence is seven under for the day and the performance would make him a worthy winner. Now all he can do is wait... Dylan O'ConnellOK, here we go on the par-five 18th, which is 513 yards long. From the tee box, Rory safely lands on the fairway, while Horschel and Manassero have both wound up in bunkers. Dylan O'ConnellThe eagle has landed! McIlroy takes a share of the lead with world-class putt That is undoubtedly the moment of the day so far. After a magnificent second shot, Rory is on the money with a huge eagle putt on 17. With one hole to go, he and Thirston Lawrence are co-leaders. Could this be his time?Dylan O'ConnellTwo shots off the current score to beat, Aaron Rai has gone for it with his second shot on 18. It was a brave move but unfortunately, he has found the drink.
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