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

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Swedens Alex Noren celebrating with the trophy after winning the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, in Britain on Sept 14.

PHOTO: REUTERS

LONDON – Ryder Cup vice-captain Alex Noren upstaged Team Europe’s players 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 after matching 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.

He 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 after they both carded final-round 66s while European Ryder Cup trio Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick and Viktor Hovland all ended on 15 under.

Adding to an encouraging week for Team Europe, Jon Rahm moved to a share of 13th with