Current Time: 12/09/22 6:21 AM
Shane Lowry defeated Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm to win the BMW PGA Championship, snapping a 38-month winless streak on the DP World Tour.
After Friday’s play was canceled due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the Wentworth event was truncated to 54 holes. Lowry finished the week with a seven-under 65 and a bogey-free round.
The Irishman won his sixth DP World Tour championship and first since The Open at Royal Portrush in 2019 by finishing the week on 17 under par, one stroke better than his Ryder Cup teammates McIlroy and Rahm.
The round-of-the-day leader Jon Rahm concluded with a 20-foot eagle to finish with a 62 and set the clubhouse goal at 16 under.
Lowry, who entered the final round two strokes behind the lead, started the round with an eagle at the par-five fourth and followed it up with a hole shot from the fringe at the seventh and a 25-foot birdie at the next to get to the turn in 31.
The 35-year-old pulled even with the Spaniard after getting up and down from a greenside bunker to take advantage of the par-five 12th, which he started his back nine with a birdie to make within one of Rahm, who had set the clubhouse target with a round-of-the-day 62.
Before responding with birdies at the 10th, 12th, and hole from the fringe at the 15th to close the gap on Lowry, McIlroy had also eagled the fourth earlier in the day. However, he three-putted from a distance to bogey the eighth.
When McIlroy was unable to make a final-hole eagle to force a play-off, Lowry reached the par-five 18th green in two strokes and two-putted from 20 feet for birdie, setting the clubhouse target. This was enough to win the match.
Your consent selections prevent you from viewing these privacy options.
When Rahm played a five-hole stretch in six under around the turn and then overcame a bogey at the 15th with a birdie-birdie-eagle finish, he tied McIlroy for the lead at 16 under after his eagle try fell just inches short of the target.
Talor Gooch, who shot a final-hole eagle to finish at fourth place, was the highest-ranked LIV Golf player overall. Patrick Reed, who concluded the week in a four-way tie for fifth place, shot a bogey-free 63.
Reflecting on his final-round 63 and nine birdies at Wentworth, Patrick Reed
Along with Reed and Thomas Detry of Belgium, overnight co-leaders Soren Kjeldsen and Viktor Hovland also finished on 14 under. Meanwhile, defending champion Billy Horschel shared ninth place with Rafa Cabrera Bello, Francesco Molinari, and Matthieu Pavon.
In This Article...
Golf’s most embarrassing competition concludes with a $2 million LIV sledge.
Shane Lowry of Ireland referred to his victory at the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday as “one for the good people” in an apparent dig at the contentious LIV Golf Series.
After Friday’s play was canceled due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Lowry edged out Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy to win the $2A million tournament at Wentworth on Sunday.
Rahm, a former US Open champion, set a challenging clubhouse goal of 16 under par after shooting an outstanding final round of 62, which included a back nine of just 29.
However, Lowry came back with an eagle and five of his own birdies in a final 65 to finish 17 under.
The former British Open champion was rewarded for his steadiness because he went the entire tournament without making a bogey.
In order to force a play-off with Lowry, McIlroy found himself needing to eagle the 18th hole. However, his putt from 23 feet came within millimeters of the hole.
An tense week for a tournament featuring 18 players from the Saudi-sponsored LIV Golf Series came to a dramatic conclusion.
After the breakaway tour sparked a civil war in golf, Lowry had stated at the beginning of the week that he “can’t abide” the LIV stars being on the field.
Before the competition began, American star Billy Horschel and LIV player Ian Poulter were seen having a violent argument on the putting green.
Talor Gooch, an American, finished fourth at Wentworth as the best LIV player, and following his victory, Lowry used the occasion to retaliate against the competing circuit.
“I was upfront about my feelings over the situation. I wanted to win for myself first and foremost, but I also feel like this is a victory for everyone who has supported this Tour, said Lowry.
It’s been a nice year, but I felt like I’ve been close to winning a few times. With only a few tournaments remaining in the season, this was the one I most wanted to win.
“I’m overjoyed. How thrilled I am and how much I adore this tour and this competition are beyond words. Right now, I’m the happiest man on earth.
McIlroy, who shot a final-round score of 67, has also been a vocal opponent of the LIV players, and he confessed it gave him some solace to see his good friend Lowry win.
“I’m good. I believe Shane’s victory lessens the blow. I might not have been as at ease with it if it had been someone else. I’m always delighted to see a friend succeed, and I wish him the best of luck,” he remarked.
I had trouble today. My iron shots weren’t very accurate. Despite my considerable scrambling, I managed to maximize my round.
Rory McIlroy loses the BMW PGA Championship against Shane Lowry by one stroke.
Shane Lowry of Ireland won the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday, his first victory since winning the 2019 Open, thanks to a brilliant third round.
With a birdie on the par-5 18th hole at Wentworth, Lowry shot a flawless 65 and moved ahead of Spaniard Jon Rahm, who had previously lit up the course with a stunning 62, reaching 18-under for his three rounds.
“One for the good people,” says Shane Lowry after winning the BMW PGA at Wentworth.
Lowry’s ideas were straightforward and sincere. The Irishman’s mental state was being affected by the fact that it had been more than three years since he had held a trophy in his hands. But Lowry overcame the doubt that crept into his head on Sunday and defeated a field of elite players for a one-stroke triumph.
If I’m being honest, there are some guys here that I just can’t stand, stated Lowry. “The fact that they are here bothers me. Since they are all attempting to be disruptive, it is the one thing that has really irritated me over the past few months. I understand that they are there to improve their world ranking and achieve that, but in a way, I believe they are also there to cause trouble.”
Play at Wentworth was halted by officials out of respect for the slain commander. Flags were flown at half-staff around the nation on Friday as a mark of respect for the late Queen.
According to a statement from the DP World Tour, she “really was an inspiration to people all around the world.” We are sending the Royal Family our sincere sympathy and sorrow at this difficult time.
Even though the tragedy of the Queen’s death was still fresh in the thoughts of many tournament officials, they made the decision to continue with their premier event, albeit with a shortened, 54-hole format. Players arrived back at Wentworth early on Saturday.
Scandinavians dominated Round 2, with Soren Kjeldsen and Viktor Hovland surging to the top of the standings. But on Sunday, the focus will shift to a new batch of European talents.
Rahm entered the discussion with a determined back-nine assault as Lowry and McIlroy started the day within striking distance of the lead. Rahm finished his final nine holes with a score of 16-under after recording five birdies and two eagles.
In the year he won, Alex Noren went out early and shot 62, and I remember him doing it to me, Lowry recalled. “That crossed my mind. I just gave it my all.”
On this particular day, Lowry’s performance was adequate. The Irishman shot a score of 17-under with an eagle and five birdies, including one at the par-5 18th hole. About 15 minutes later, on the 18th green, McIlroy’s final eagle putt fell past the hole, giving Lowry the victory.
At the beginning of the week, I was completely open about how I felt about the situation, Lowry stated. “First and foremost, I wanted to compete and win this event for myself. And not just for this tour, but for everyone who has supported it. This seems like a win for the good folks, in my opinion.”