New Zealand’s Ryan Fox won the BMW PGA Championship with a superb final-round fightback to ruin the title dreams of rising star Ludvig Aberg at Wentworth on Sunday.
Fox began the day three shots behind overnight leader Aberg and a triple-bogey seven on the 3rd hole appeared to have taken him out of contention.
But the 36-year-old covered his last 13 holes in eight under par for a closing 67.
Fox’s 18-under-par final total gave him a one-shot victory over playing partner Aaron Rai and Tyrrell Hatton.
Rai missed a long eagle putt on the 18th which could have given him the title or at least forced a playoff.
World No 3 Jon Rahm, who had been runner-up on each of his two previous appearances at Wentworth, carded a 68 to claim fourth place on 16 under.
Seven members of Europe’s Ryder Cup side packed the top 10, with Rory McIlroy surging through the field with a round of 65.
South Africa’s Hennie du Plessis ended on 12 under (T10) after a final-round 69.
Sweden’s Aberg, who had been seeking successive tournament victories in just his 10th event as a professional, held a two-shot lead after 54 holes.
But the 23-year-old sensation slumped to a closing 76, including two double-bogeys in the space of three holes.
Fox began his charge with four birdies in five holes from the 10th.
He was fortunate that a wayward drive on the 15th hole did not run deep into the trees as he hit a superb second shot to 10 feet and converted the birdie putt to lead outright.
Hatton birdied the last to set up the prospect of a playoff but, after Rai’s eagle attempt caught the edge of the hole and stayed out, Fox calmly holed from six feet to seal a fourth DP World Tour title.
The moment @ryanfoxgolfer became the first player from New Zealand to win the BMW PGA Championship ???#BMWPGA | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/W5Ke5wBSAm
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 17, 2023
© Agence France-Presse
