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Billy Horschel wins BMW PGA Championship, becoming only the second American to win the famous event
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Billy Horschel wins BMW PGA Championship, becoming only the second American to win the famous event

By Jason Diego / September 12, 2021
The 34-year-old shot a brilliant seven-under final round 65 to finish on 19-under and a shot ahead of Jamie Donaldson, Laurie Canter and Kiradech Aphibarnrat at Wentworth Golf Club.

Playing in the penultimate group, Horschel’s birdie on the 18th hole gave him the marginal lead over Canter who was in the final pairing.

But England’s Canter could only finish with a par on the last hole, handing Horschel the famous trophy, and putting his name alongside one of golf’s greatest players, Arnold Palmer.
Palmer, widely considered one of the sport’s most influential players, is the only other American to win the event, doing so in 1975 at Royal St George’s.
Horschel watches his shot from the 4th tee on Day 4 of the BMW PGA Championship.

And a day after what would’ve been Palmer’s 92nd birthday, it was a special moment for the Florida native.

Horschel was one of the American golfers who just missed out on qualifying for Steve Stricker’s Ryder Cup team, but it didn’t seem to bother him.

He came out the blocks firing in Sunday’s final round, posting three birdies and no bogeys on the opening nine holes.

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And coming down the final straight, with pressure mounting at the top of the leader board, Horschel avoided any bogeys as well as carding four more birdies to edge him into the lead.

In winning the European Tour’s flagship event, Horschel becomes the first American to win a Rolex Series event.

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