Horschel wins golf event in England as Harrington finalizes European squad

Billy Horschel felt aggrieved last week at the manner in which he missed out on a place in the U.S. team for the Ryder Cup. So he took down a bunch of leading Europeans by himself.

Horschel birdied Wentworth’s storied 18th hole after an approach shot that spun back to inside 2 feet, securing a closing 7-under-par 65 and a one-shot victory at the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday in Virginia Water, England.

He became only the second American to win what is traditionally regarded as the biggest event on the European Tour, after Arnold Palmer in 1975. Not a bad way to get over the disappointment of being overlooked for a captain’s pick for the Ryder Cup team. And Horschel had a message for U.S. captain Steve Stricker.

“It sucks not making the team,” Horschel said. “I didn’t play consistent enough, and well enough, after I won the Match Play to warrant a pick or to get enough points to get an automatic selection.

“I was a little gutted I didn’t get a call this week. I didn’t think the call was going to say I made the team but I was a little gutted I didn’t get a call to say, ‘Hey, you know, you didn’t make the team.’ In my mind, I thought I would at least get that.”

A number of European players who couldn’t keep up with Horschel at Wentworth will head to Whistling Straits for the Ryder Cup, however.

On a dramatic day of twists and turns in the final qualifying event, Lee Westwood, Bernd Wiesberger, Matt Fitzpatrick and Tyrrell Hatton were able to celebrate getting the final automatic qualifying places on the European team.

Shane Lowry shot 71 to be tied for 17th place and miss out on an automatic spot but was named as one of Padraig Harrington’s captain’s picks, along with Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter. Justin Rose was overlooked despite shooting 65.

⏩ David Toms beat Dicky Pride with a par on the first hole of a playoff in the PGA Tour Champions’ inaugural Ascension Charity Classic in St. Louis.