MATTEO MANASSERO NEEDED four extra holes to shake off English challenger Simon Khan, becoming the youngest ever BMW PGA champion in the process.
The 20-year-old Italian finished on -10 with Khan and Marc Warren of Scotland. After the Scot found the water on the first playoff hole, Manassero and Khan duked it out for a prize, which (along with the British Open) is most coveted among golfers on the European Tour.
The Italian, who waved goodbye to his teens in April, birdied the 18th (the fourth extra hole) to capture the title. It was a tough break on Khan who, in carding a 66, recorded the lowest round of the day. The title is Manassero’s forth on the European Tour since his debut some four years ago.
Among the celebrities and golfers tweeting their congratulations to the Italian were Rory McIlroy, Gary Lineker and Gary Player. Lineker commented ‘this fella is going to be special’. We think he is already there.
The Irish challenge on the final day came courtesy of Shane Lowry. Starting on -6, the Offaly native dropped a shot on the sixth hole before recovering well to birdie on the ninth. He picked up further shots on 12 and 13 to reach -8.
It proved to be the zenith of his scoring at Wentworth this weekend. Lowry gave a shot back immediately with a bogey on 14 and double-bogeyed the 17th. He composed himself to birdie the last and ensure joint 12th and a sizeable pay cheque from his four days’ work.
Darren Clarke, in a welcome return to form, shot a final round of 69 to finish on -3. Paul McGinley finished on +1 with Peter Lawrie a shot further back and Damien McGrane tied for 59th on +3.
Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell both missed the cut on Friday.
