Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy carded a closing round of 66 to win the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth by a single shot from Shane Lowry of Ireland.
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy carded a closing round of 66 to win the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth by a single shot from Shane Lowry of Ireland.
McIlroy began the final round seven shots behind Thomas Bjorn who took a five shot lead over Luke Donald into Sunday. But when the Dane stumbled to a triple bogey at the sixth, the chasing pack was given an opportunity.
Shane Lowry was first to strike. He began his back nine with three straight birdies, but his run was halted with a double bogey at the par-4 13th.
Like his playing partner, Luke Donald also suffered a triple bogey at the sixth hole and, although he fought back with five birdies over his next 10 holes, it wasn’t enough to catch McIlroy.
The Northern Irishman birdied the 10th, 12th, 13th, 17th and 18th holes to post a clubhouse total of 14-under-par. Donald, Bjorn and Lowry all needed an eagle three at the final hole to match that total and, when none were able to do it, McIlroy was champion.
It was an amazing performance from the 24-year-old on a course he has never performed well on before, he'd missed the cut in two previous starts.
"It's been 18 months since I won on The European Tour and to win the flagship event, I could not have asked for any more,” he said. “I knew coming in here I was playing well. I struggled a little on Friday but played great over the weekend. I was a little fortunate that some of the guys ahead of me made mistakes and I took advantage of it.”
It was a rollercoaster week for McIlroy. Before the event it was announced that he and tennis star Caroline Wozniacki had broken off their engagement, and McIlroy appeared close to tears when answering questions in the pre-tournament press conference.
“I’m happy for Rory,” said Luke Donald. “We all know what he’s been going through and sometimes making those tough decisions maybe takes a weight off your mind and he can engulf himself in golf.”
McIlroy will go into the year’s second Major (the U.S. Open on June 12) with renewed confidence.
“I really wanted to win before going into the U.S. Open,” he said. “I could not have asked for a better way to prepare.”
BMW PGA Championship Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey, England May 22-25, purse €4,750,000, par 72
1 Rory McIlroy (NIR) 68 71 69 66 274 €791,660 2 Shane Lowry (Irl) 64 70 73 68 275 €527,770 T3 Thomas Bjorn (Eng) 62 72 67 75 276 €267,425 T3 Luke Donald (Eng) 71 67 68 70 276 €267,425 T5 Simon Dyson (Eng) 69 74 69 67 279 €183,825 T5 Stephen Gallacher (Sco) 70 75 68 66 279 €183,825 T7 Thomas Aiken (RSA) 68 72 70 70 280 €110,010 T7 Pablo Larrazabal (Esp) 69 71 69 71 280 €110,010 T7 Francesco Molinari (Ita) 71 74 65 70 280 €110,010 T7 Marcel Siem (Ger) 69 71 72 68 280 €110,010 T7 Henrik Stenson (Swe) 68 71 71 70 280 €110,010
Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage
Rory McIlroy: what's in the bag?
Driver: Nike VRS Covert 2.0 Tour 8.5-degree (Kura Kage X TS 70) Fairways: Nike VRS Covert 3-wood 15-degree, Covert 5-wood 19 degree Irons: Nike VR Pro Blade (4-9) Wedges: Nike VR Forged 46-degree, 52-degree, 56 degree; VR X3X Toe Sweep 59-degree Putter: Nike Method 006 Ball: Nike RZN Black Footwear: Nike Lunar Control II
-
The Three Most Confusing Rules In Golf And How To Interpret ThemAt times, golf’s rules can be complex and confusing. Here we look at three of the most confusing rules in golf and give you the info you need to understand them.
-
There's A Growing Divide Between Club Members And Nomadic Golfers When It Comes To Handicapping... And I'm Concerned About ItSome golfers believe competition play should be a pre-requisite to achieving a ‘valid’ handicap, while others feel you should be able to submit a card whenever you want
-
How Many Times Has Rory McIlroy Made A Hole-In-One In His Career?The Northern Irishman has claimed multiple victories and countless awards during a professional career that began in 2007, but how many aces has he made?
-
9 Big Name Golfers Who Didn’t Go To CollegeNot every player who makes it in the professional game had the benefit of a college golf career - here are nine of the biggest names who made their names without taking that route
-
What Is Rory McIlroy's Open Championship Record?We take a closer look at the Northern Irishman's results in golf's oldest Major Championship
-
‘He Is Too Good To Be Remembered As A Choker' - Golf Monthly Writers On Whether Rory McIlroy Can Bounce Back From Latest Major HeartbreakFollowing McIlroy's US Open disappointment at Pinehurst No.2 on Sunday, some of the Golf Monthly team discuss what is likely to happen to him next...
-
What Shoes Is Rory McIlroy Wearing At The Players Championship?The Northern Irishman was spotted wearing some special edition shoes for the tournament but what are they? We explain all here.
-
Rory McIlroy What’s In The Bag? 2024 UpdateWe take a look at the clubs currently in the bag of four-time major winner Rory McIlroy for the 2024 season
-
What Are Rory McIlroy's Stock Yardages?The Northern Irishman is one of the game's longest hitters, but how far does he hit every club in the bag?
-
5 Huge Names Set To Challenge At The 2023 PGA ChampionshipWe look at five TaylorMade staffers who are all highly fancied to contend for the Wanamaker Trophy this week
