Rory McIlroy pipped by Billy Horschel in play-off at BMW PGA Championship

Rory McIlroy came up just short in a three-man play-off at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

McIlroy, Billy Horschel of the United States and South Africa's Thriston Lawrence finished on 20 under par, with Horschel securing the title at the DP World Tour's flagship event with an eagle on the second hole of the three-man play-off.

Lawrence recorded the lowest final round of the trio, with a 65 two shots superior to what his main rivals could muster. However, the 27-year-old was eliminated on the first extra hole after seeing his third shot spin back off the green and into the water, with McIlroy and Horschel both making birdie.

The pair returned to the par-five 18th for the second extra hole and both found the green in two, McIlroy narrowly missing his eagle attempt before 2021 winner Horschel holed from marginally closer.

Lawrence had set the clubhouse target following a superb closing 65, although the South African would ultimately be left to rue failing to birdie either of the two closing par fives.

That left the door open for the chasing pack and McIlroy looked set to take full advantage when he holed from 45 feet for an eagle on the 17th and saw his approach to the 18th narrowly avoid the water to the left of the green.

However, after a poor chip McIlroy’s birdie attempt from 15 feet never threatened the hole and Horschel – whose third shot almost span back into the hole for what would have been a winning eagle – holed out for birdie to make it a three-way play-off.

Tom McKibbin was the next best of a potent Irish challenge in Surrey. McKibbin closed out the tournament with a 66 to finish on 13 under alongside Marcus Armitage in 10th.

Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington were a shot further back after rounds of 67 and 68