Billy Horschel makes golfing history with his play-off win over Rory McIlroy at the BMW PGA Championship

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Billy Horschel continued his superb season by beating Rory McIlroy in a play-off to win the BMW PGA Championship.

Horschel, McIlroy and Thriston Lawrence all finished on 20 under at the BMW PGA Championship, forcing a three-way play-off at Wentworth.

Lawrence was the first to drop out after a bogey on the 18th, with his two competitors both shooting birdies.

The 18th hole at Wentworth was then repeated by Horschel and McIlroy, with the latter firing in another birdie.

But the former holed his putt for eagle, with Horschel calling himself one of the world’s best putters following his superb display on the greens.

Billy Horschel makes golfing history with BMW PGA Championship win

Horschel was disappointed for McIlroy, who had only just finished second at last week’s Irish Open in Northern Ireland.

But the four-time major winner has already enjoyed superb success in his career, with Horschel now the one in the spotlight.

Not only did he take home the prestigious trophy, but he also made golfing history at Wentworth, with Horschel becoming the first American to win the BMW PGA Championship twice.

Horschel also won the tournament in 2021, posting a winning total of 19 under to clinch the title by a single shot.

Rory McIlroy helpless as Billy Horschel clinches BMW PGA Championship

The American can be really proud of his efforts at Wentworth and indeed in 2024 so far, having just finished T23 at the Tour Championship.

T10 and T22 finishes were secured at the St Jude Championship and BMW Championship in the build-up to the final FedEx Cup Playoff event.

Horschel meanwhile won the Corales Puntacana Championship on the PGA Tour earlier this year, before a superb T2 finish at The Open Championship.

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As for McIlroy, he can also hold his head high after his latest near-miss, but of course there will be plenty of frustration and disappointment.

The world number three really didn’t do much wrong at Wentworth, with Horschel instead storming to the win, helped by a phenomenal seven consecutive birdies in round three.