Molinari downs McIlroy at BMW PGA Championship

Francesco Molinari clinched the BMW PGA Championship by two strokes over an out-of-sorts Rory McIlroy in the final round at Wentworth.

Molinari, 35, played his final 44 holes without a bogey en route to sealing his fifth European Tour title on 17-under par. 

The Italian had previously posted five top-10 finishes at Wentworth, including a runner-up finish to Alex Noren 12 months ago. 

Molinari’s bid to form part of the 2018 European Ryder Cup contingent also receives a huge boost with victory. 

“It’s on a course I love and where I have almost as good a record as I have here, so I’d love to be there,” said Molinari.

“Unfortunately my last really good week up until now was in August last year, just before the start of the Ryder Cup qualification period. I didn’t even look at the standings after that, to be honest.

“I don’t know where I was in the table but it’s not nice seeing that you’re a long way back. So I tried to focus on other things. Now I’ll probably have a look and enjoy it, but there’s a long way to go.”

McIlroy held a share of the 54-hole lead with Molinari heading into Sunday but the Ulsterman struggled off the tee for much of the final round and could only salvage a second-place 

The Northern Irishman had reached 12-under par and was three strokes clear of the chasing pack heading into Sunday, only to finish the week 15-under with rounds of 71 and 70.

"It's close," said McIlroy, on the likelihood of a next victory. "It's very close. I've given myself a great chance here this week. I didn't quite pull it off but it's not far away.

"I get a bit down on myself because my expectations are high and with a 36-hole lead, I should have closed it out this week but that's not taking anything away from Francesco. He played a great weekend and bogey-free around here is some playing - he deserved the win."

FRANCESCO MOLINARI - IN THE BAG

TaylorMade M4 Driver (8.5-degree Tensei White 60x)

TaylorMade M3 Fairway Metal (13-degree X-Torsion Green 70x)

TaylorMade M4 Fairway Metal (18-degree X-Torsion Green 70x)

TaylorMade P790 4-iron (DG X100)

TaylorMade P750 5-PW (DG X100)

TaylorMade MG 50-degree (56-degree DG S400)

TaylorMade Hi-Toe (60-degree DG S400)

Bettinardi putter