Shane Lowry was topped 2022 BMW PGA champion after pipping Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm to the coveted title after an action-packed last day at Wentworth.
Following the cancellation of play on Friday, after the demise of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the event was decreased to 54 holes and the Irishman performed them flawlessly, managing to play the West Course thrice with out dropping a single shot.
A birdie on the final meant he posted a last spherical 65 and a 17 underneath complete, however he confronted an anxious wait as McIlroy, within the group behind, had an eagle putt on the 18th which might have compelled a play-off along with his shut buddy Lowry. McIlroy’s 23-foot effort simply stayed above floor, although, that means the Northern Irishman signed for a 67, ending a shot again on 16 underneath. That handed Lowry his first victory in a event meaning a lot to him, within the first week of qualification for the European Ryder Cup workforce in 2023.
Rahm, in the meantime, carded a shocking ten-under 62 earlier within the day to put down the gauntlet to the in a single day leaders, however settled for a share of second place alongside McIlroy.
Lowry, who hadn’t gained a event since The Open in 2019, mentioned: “Successful this championship means loads. I like it right here and I’ve contended prior to now, so it’s nice to lastly recover from the road. It’s been a superb 12 months, however I’ve felt like I’ve been shut just a few occasions and I felt like I used to be operating out of time to win this season. Clearly, this one is correct up on the high the record, so I’m delighted to have come out forward.”
The performances of Lowry, McIlroy and Rahm, three of the best ranked DP World Tour members within the discipline, could have triggered a collective sigh of aid within the corridors of energy inside the DP World Tour, lots of whose officers little doubt feared that one of many 15 LIV golfers within the discipline would win the title on the tour’s headquarters.
That appeared a really actual prospect when Patrick Reed, one of many first gamers to hitch the Saudi-backed tour, fired a last spherical 63 early on Sunday to publish the clubhouse lead at -14. Rahm’s 62 ended the American’s hopes of victory, however Talor Gooch, one other LIV golfer, threatened to the spoil the get together when he received with two of the lead with six holes left to play. Nevertheless, the America’c problem stalled over the again 9, and solely an eagle on the par-five 18th lifted him into fourth place on 15 underneath.
Talking to the media, Lowry expressed his delight at having ensured a LIV golfer wasn’t celebrating on Sunday evening. He mentioned: “I made no secrets and techniques as to how I felt about the entire thing in the beginning of the week. I wished to exit and win this event for myself, firstly, however I believe for this tour. Everybody that’s stayed loyal to this tour and everybody that’s finished the whole lot for this tour. I really feel like that is one for the nice guys.”
McIlroy, one other participant to have voiced his unhappiness at LIV golfers enjoying at Wentworth this week, was additionally delighted that the person to beat him was a buddy and fellow DP World Tour participant. “I believe Shane successful softens the blow. If it had of been another person, I won’t have felt as snug with it as I’m,” he mentioned. “Seeing a buddy win is at all times nice and I’m actually completely happy for him. I struggled as we speak. I didn’t hit my irons very effectively. I used to be scrambling rather a lot. However I received probably the most out of my spherical. I type of dug in there and did what I wanted to to offer myself an opportunity taking place 18. I don’t take as a lot momentum as if I had gained the factor however I hold saying, the extra you place your self in these positions, regulation of averages suggests that you just’re going to get your fair proportion.”
Second spherical leaders Soren Kjeldsen and Viktor Hovland went backwards on Sunday, with each gamers taking pictures 70 to complete tied fifth with Reed and Thomas Detry. Defending BMW PGA champion Billy Horschel posted a closing 67 to complete tied ninth on 13 underneath.
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