Shane Lowry held his nerve to secure a birdie on the final hole of the BMW Championship to claim victory at Wentworth.
That took the Offaly man one shot clear of John Rahm who was the club house leader after an incredible ten under round of 62 on the final day.
Despite that, Lowry was left chewing on his finger nails as his great freind Rory McIlroy came up the last minutes later knowing an eagle on the par five would take it to a play-off.
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McIlroy's eagle putt looked in all the way but tailed millimetres wide of the hole and so Lowry was champion. Lowry had been edged out by McIlroy at the same venue in 2012.
The pair shared a warm embrace after the final round with Lowry joking, "that's one all now". Lowry, who is expected to move into the world's top 20 as a result, added, "You've won enough anyway".
Lowry hit an eagle and five birdies in a closing 65 to finish 17 under, the former Open champion not carding a single bogey in a tournament reduced to 54 holes following the loss of Friday’s play after the death of the Queen.
"I made no secret how I feel about the whole thing,” Lowry said. “I wanted to win for myself first and foremost, but or everyone that has stayed loyal to this Tour I really feel this is one for the good guys.”
Lowry, who had finished runner-up to McIlroy at Wentworth in 2014, added: “It means a lot.
“It’s been a good year, but felt like I’ve been close a few times and only a few tournaments left this season and I really wanted to win one and this was top of the list.
“I’m so happy. I can’t put into words how happy I am, how much I love this tour, this tournament. I’m the happiest man in the world right now.
“I got to 16 and was trying to get past that but had to worry about Rory behind me, he could do anything the last few holes how good he is. I just tried my best to hit shots, I told my coach I need to allow myself to play golf. I’m playing the best golf of my life and I did that.”
A disappointed McIlroy, who carded a closing 67, said: “I’m okay. I think Shane winning softens the blow.
“If it had been someone else, I might not have felt as comfortable with it as I am. Seeing a friend win is always great and I am really happy for him.
“I struggled today. I didn’t hit my irons very well. I was sort of scrambling a lot but I got the most out of my round.
“I wish I had made a four on 17, but, apart from that, I dug in there and did what I needed to do to give myself a chance going down 18 and that’s all you can ask for.”
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