Manuel Elvira's first words after miserable BMW PGA Championship finish

Spain's Manuel Elvira insisted he was more nervous before he began the final round of the BMW PGA Championship than standing over his tee shot on the 72nd hole of the DP World Tour's flagship event at Wentworth.

The 30-year-old looked as though he was destined for a play-off at worst with J.J. Spaun when he stood on the 18th tee box on the West Course.

An electric eagle at the 17th meant the golfer only needed a par to force extra holes with the American or a birdie to win outright.

Instead, he unravelled in dramatic fashion, making a double bogey out of nowhere.

Elvira elected to hit an iron off the tee and somehow found the fairway bunker with his lay-up. From there, he missed the green long and duffed his fourth into the bunker.

Once he escaped, he took two more putts and had to settle for a four-way tie for second alongside major champions Aaron Rai, Adam Scott and Rory McIlroy.

Elvira was observed walking off the 18th green in tears. 

"Devastating that I hit the wrong shot at the right time on the lay-up and left myself the toughest shot in the fairway bunker, and wasn't able to pull it off," said Elvira.

He added: "I've played some of the best golf probably of my life. I was in contention and I wasn't really that nervous.

"Maybe coming off the 72nd hole, but I managed to hit a good tee shot and unfortunately hit a bad second shot.

"It's been a great week and I'm really glad for it."

Elvira's older brother, Nacho, is also a member of the DP World Tour and watched the drama unfold from inside the gallery ropes.

"I just saw him on 16 green," added Manuel.

"Obviously, there were a lot of people. I could see them in the crowd, my girlfriend, my manager, my brother, and it was amazing to have their support."