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Billy Horschel hit an eagle on the second play-off hole to win his second PGA Championship title at Wentworth on Sunday, with Rory McIlroy falling agonizingly short again.
Americans Horschel, McIlroy and South African Thriston Lawrence all finished the final round averaging 20 under par on the course near London.
Lawrence exited the play-off with a bogey on the first extra hole, which Horschel and McIlroy both birdied.
The players returned to the par-five 18th for the second extra hole and both found the green in two, with McIlroy narrowly missing his eagle attempt before Horschel holed a slightly closer hole.
“I’m delighted, excited by the way I played,” said Horschel, the world number 24. “I just fought today.
“At the same time, I’m a little disappointed – Rory is a very good friend of mine and I think very highly of him. I think he’s a generational talent.
“I know how close he’s been this year, so I can feel for him, but at the same time I’m pretty excited to be able to achieve it today.”
Northern Irishman McIlroy, ranked third in the world, has been beaten several times this year, including at last week’s Irish Open, where he finished one stroke behind winner Rasmus Hojgaard.
He also lost his way in the final round of the US Open while chasing a first major triumph in 10 years.
“It just shows the level here,” said the four-time major winner.
“If you make a small mistake or don’t make a birdie on a crucial hole, someone is always waiting to take advantage.”
Horschel and McIlroy started the day tied for second, three shots behind leader Matteo Manassero.
Lawrence had set himself the clubhouse target after a superb closing 65, although the South African would ultimately be left regretting not having made a birdie on either of the two par fives in fence.
That left the door open for the chasing pack and McIlroy looked set to take full advantage when he holed a distance 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 birdied to make it a three-way play-off.
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