Shane Lowry won the BMW PGA Championship after pipping Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm to the coveted title in an action-packed final day at Wentworth.
Following the cancellation of Friday’s second round, after the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, the tournament was reduced to 54 holes and the Irishman played them flawlessly, managing to play the West Course three times without dropping a single shot.
A birdie at the last meant he posted a final round 65 and a 17 under total, but he faced an anxious wait as McIlroy, in the group behind, had an eagle putt at the 18th which would have forced a play-off with his close friend Lowry. McIlroy’s 23-foot effort just stayed above ground, though, meaning the Northern Irishman signed for a 67, finishing a shot back on 16 under. That handed Lowry his first victory in a tournament that means so much to him, in the first week of qualification for the European Ryder Cup team in 2023.
Rahm, meanwhile, carded a stunning ten-under 62 earlier in the day to lay down the gauntlet to the overnight leaders, but had to settle for a share of second place alongside McIlroy.
Lowry, who hadn’t won a tournament since The Open in 2019, said: “Winning this championship means a lot. I love it here and I’ve contended in the past, so it’s great to finally get over the line. It’s been a good year, but I’ve felt like I’ve been close a few times and I felt like I was running out of time to win this season. Obviously, this one is right up at the top the list, so I’m delighted to have come out ahead.”
McIlroy, although disappointed not to have added a second PGA title to the one he won in 2014, was also delighted that the man to beat him was a friend and fellow DP World Tour player. “I think Shane winning softens the blow. If it had of been someone else, I might not have felt as comfortable with it as I am,” he said. “Seeing a friend win is always great and I’m really happy for him. I struggled today. I didn’t hit my irons very well. I was scrambling quite a lot. But I got the most out of my round and did what I needed to to give myself a chance going down 18.”
Second round leaders Soren Kjeldsen and Viktor Hovland both shot 70 on Sunday to finish tied fifth with Reed and Thomas Detry, while defending BMW PGA champion Billy Horschel posted a closing 67 to finish tied ninth on 13 under.
Shane Lowry’s winning equipment
Driver: Srixon ZX5
Fairway woods: TaylorMade SIM2 (15º), TaylorMade M5 (19º)
Utility: Srixon ZXU 3 (20°)
Irons: Srixon ZX5 (4-5), Srixon ZX7 (6-PW)
Wedges: Cleveland Golf ZipCore (50°, 58°)
Putter: Odyssey White Hot Pro 2-Ball
Ball: Srixon Z-Star XV