Alex Noren upstages Ryder Cup stars to win PGA Championship at Wentworth

LONDON – Ryder Cup vice-captain Alex Noren upstaged Team Europe’s golfers to snatch a play-off victory in the PGA Championship at Wentworth on Sept 14.

The Swede went into the final round tied for the lead with France’s Adrien Saddier and the pair were still locked together at 19-under 269 after matching four-under 68s.

After both men sent their second shots into the rough at the first extra hole, they were neck and neck once again.

But the in-form Noren, who won his first crown at Wentworth Club in 2017, lifted his ball to three feet before tapping in a birdie putt to claim his 12th European title and second of the season.

Noren, one of the non-playing vice-captains in Luke Donald’s European Ryder Cup team, outshone all 11 of the 12 golfers who will be representing Europe at the tournament in the United States later in September.

The 43-year-old said: “I think we have a great team and I think it’s the right 12 guys that are playing. I showed good form late, but it was the wrong time.”

England’s Aaron Rai was tied for third with Patrick Reed on 272 after they both carded 66s, while European Ryder Cup trio Tyrrell Hatton (70), Matt Fitzpatrick (67) and Viktor Hovland (69) were among six golfers who totalled 273.

Adding to an encouraging week for Team Europe, Jon Rahm moved to a share of 13th on 275 with a 66, while Rory McIlroy jumped inside the top 20 after closing with a stunning long-range eagle for a 65.

“There’s been a lot of talk and a lot of chat and a lot of thinking about the Ryder Cup,” McIlroy said after his final round.

Rahm added: “I think we’re playing good enough and we are a good and strong enough team to face what we are going to face at Bethpage and hopefully end up with the Cup.”

Earlier, Noren made two early birdies in his fourth round to go two shots clear but he dropped a shot on the fifth hole and just one shot separated the players at the turn.

Saddier made a lightning-quick start to the back nine, picking up three birdies in five holes, while Noren made back-to-back gains on the 12th and 13th before saving par in spectacular fashion at the 14th.

There was drama still to come, as Saddier’s tee shot at the 15th landed in a spectator’s hood instead of potentially going out of bounds, and he took full advantage of his lucky break by saving par there.

As the rain lashed down, the two players remained neck and neck with birdies at the 17th and both men parred the last.

But Noren came out on top on the first hole of the play-off, emerging triumphant just weeks after winning the British Masters.

The European Ryder Cup team will re-assemble in New York to face the US from Sept 26 to 28 at Bethpage Black, seeking to retain the title they won in Rome in 2023. AFP