CHRIS WOOD RECOVERED from a late wobble to claim the biggest victory of his career, winning the BMW PGA Championship by one shot at Wentworth today.
The Englishman finished with a three-under 69 on the West Course to end up on nine under to win the European Tour’s flagship event ahead of Rikard Karlberg, whose sublime closing 65 ensured he took second place.
Wood turned in 29, but four bogeys on the back nine gave his rivals hope before he held his nerve with a par at the 18th to claim his third European Tour title.
The 28-year-old world number 54 started the day in fifth spot, but birdied the first hole and made a further three gains before the turn as well as an eagle three at the fourth courtesy of a tremendously judged putt.
Wood led by three shots with nine holes to play, but the nerves were jangling when he faltered with the victory within his grasp before giving himself two putts for the tournament and managing to finish off the job.
Karlberg came from nowhere to put himself in contention, making a hole in one at the 154-yard second and seven birdies in a magnificent final round but second and third rounds of 74 and 72 on Friday and Saturday respectively proved to be costly for the Swede.
Danny Willett ended with a one-under 71 to finish two shots adrift of Wood in third, a double-bogey at the third and an eagle at the next summing up an inconsistent last round for the Masters champion.
Scott Hend held a one-shot advantage ahead of the final round, but the Australian could only muster a six-over 78 after a poor final round which included three double-bogeys to drop down the leaderboard, finishing in a tie for 15th.
James Morrison also conjured up an ace to win himself a BMW, having also won a car for his hole in one at the 2012 Irish Open. Romain Wattel, Thomas Aiken and Julien Quesne were tied for fourth.
A final-round 72 left Graeme McDowell in a tie for 27th on one-under for the tournament.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
