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Matt Cradock

Alex Noren Claims Second BMW PGA Championship Title Via Dramatic Playoff

(Image credit: Getty Images)

After a tense final round at Wentworth, it was Alex Noren who claimed a second BMW PGA Championship title via a playoff against Adrien Saddier.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Starting the final day, it was in fact Saddier and Noren who shared the lead at 15-under, with both men searching for a second victory on the DP World Tour in 2025.

As we had seen from the likes of Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm earlier in the day, who carded rounds of 65 and 66, scoring was low in Surrey, but the final group struggled early on, with Noren leading by a single stroke following a one-under-par front nine.

Birdieing the 10th, Saddier pulled alongside his playing partner and, for the remainder of the back nine, it was a two horse race as the duo remained two clear of Aaron Rai, Min Woo Lee, Patrick Reed and many others.

Rai finished in a share of third alongside Reed, with both securing career best finishes at the event (Image credit: Getty Images)

In terms of Saddier, he found birdies at the 12th, 14th and 17th to finish 19-under, while Noren birdied the 12th, 13th and 17th to match the Frenchman on the same tally.

That meant for a second consecutive year we headed for a playoff, with both men producing fine tee shots at the par 5 18th.

Over the back nine, the wind and rain had picked up severely and, for the majority of the final groups, they had opted to lay up at the 18th. In Saddier and Noren's case though, as they approached the first playoff hole, aggression was on their mind.

Both men were just a yard apart following their tee shots and, much to the dismay of the broadcast team, both Saddier and Noren went for the green with their second shots, with the duo lucky not to find the water.

Noren reacts after his second shot at the first playoff hole (Image credit: Getty Images)

Once again, there was barely anything to separate them, apart from the fact that Noren's golf ball was sat far better than Saddier's, a point that proved pivotal as Noren was able to put his third to within a foot as Saddier's sailed over the green.

Tapping in for birdie, the title was Noren's for a second time, as the Swede wrapped up the $1.53 million first prize.

"There's so many emotions right now," stated Noren, who claimed his second win in three starts following the Betfred British Masters.

"I felt the playoff was easier, condition wise, than the 72nd hole. I thought I hit that one in the water, but I had a great lie. I was fortunate with a good break, as my ball was sitting nicely...

"Sometimes you have to fight and today was like that. I like coming back to Europe and trusted the process. In terms of the Ryder Cup (Noren is a European vice-captain) the other guys have been playing better than me. I'm really looking forward to that match, I can't wait."

BMW PGA Championship 2025 Leaderboard

  • -19 Alex Noren (68)
  • -19 Adrien Saddier (68)
  • -16 Aaron Rai (66)
  • -16 Patrick Reed (66)
  • -15 Si Woo Kim (64)
  • -15 Matt Fitzpatrick (67)
  • -15 Ewen Ferguson (67)
  • -15 Darren Fichardt (68)
  • -15 Viktor Hovland (69)
  • -15 Tyrrell Hatton (70)
  • -14 Min Woo Lee (66)
  • -14 Tom McKibbin (66)
  • -13 Jon Rahm (66)
  • -13 Marco Penge (67)
  • -13 Hideki Matsuyama (67)
  • -13 Martin Couvra (67)
  • -13 Adrian Otaegui (67)
  • -13 Oliver Lindell (68)
  • -13 Harry Hall (69)
  • -12 Rory McIlroy (65)
  • -12 Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen (67)
  • -12 Joaquin Niemann (69)
  • -12 Ludvig Aberg (70)

Updates from...

HELLO ALL

Good morning, afternoon and evening all, and welcome to the final round of the BMW PGA Championship, which is set up for a thrilling finish at Wentworth.

So far this morning, we have seen some extremely low scoring, with birdies and eagles aplenty. Rory McIlroy, who was out in the early groups, fired a seven-under 65 to finish 12-under.

Among the other players on a charge this morning are Jon Rahm, who is five-under through 16, while Dan Bradbury fired a six-under 66 in the morning wave.

BOGEY FOR HATTON

Tyrrell Hatton is one of the big names in contention but, at the par 4 seventh, he pushes his wedge from the thick rough right, finding the greenside bunker.

It's a tough upcoming third and, striking a wedge, his bunker shot stays on the bank, leaving a delicate chip. His fourth is good, but it leads to a dropped shot from the 2020 champion.

He falls back into a three-way tie of third at 14-under, alongside Min Woo Lee and Aaron Rai. Adrien Saddier remains solo second at 15-under, while Alex Noren still leads at 16-under.

BIRDIE FOR RAHMBO

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Jon Rahm had been on a charge today and was six-under through 12. However, his challenge has fizzled out slightly after bogeying the 14th.

The Spaniard needs a strong finish and an eagle attempt at the par 5 17th just misses on the right-side. He does birdie, though, which moves him into a share of seventh at 13-under.

Behind Rahm, Martin Couvra has made a seventh birdie of the day to join the gaggle of players at 14-under. Like Rahm, he is six-under for his round.

PARS AT THE EIGHTH

The final group are in the tough stretch of holes, with all three producing fine approach shots to the treacherous par 4 eighth.

Finding the green, Saddier's putt slides-by, with the Frenchman tapping in for par. Leader Noren also misses his birdie attempt, while Hatton is up on his putt early without scaring the hole at all.

REED BIRDIES THE NINTH

That's an excellent front nine from Patrick Reed, who makes four birdies to turn in 31. He's been the best player from tee-to-green this week, so maybe one to watch on the back nine.

He moves to 14-under and into a five-way share of third. Among those include Min Woo Lee and Aaron Rai, who have both parred the 13th and the 10th.

FITZY DROPS A SHOT

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The wind is starting to gust here at Wentworth and, following a classy third at the ninth, Matt Fitzpatrick leaves a slippery six-footer to save par.

Standing over the ball, he steps back as the wind gets up and, after eventually settling, he pulls the putt left. He falls back to 12-under, as does playing partner Ewen Ferguson, who also bogeys.

FAIRWAYS FOUND BY SADDIER AND NOREN

After a lengthy wait on the ninth tee, both Saddier and Noren stripe their drives down the center of the fairway. Hatton, meanwhile, pulls his fairway wood left and into the thick rough. He will do well to make par here...

Up ahead, Lee has bogeyed the par 3 14th, following a poor tee shot, to fall back to 13-under and into a share of seventh.

EXCELLENT RECOVERY FROM TYRRELL

Hatton is forced to chip out from the heather with his second, leaving himself around 85-yards from the flag.

Before hitting his third, both Noren and Saddier find the green, albeit well away from the hole. It's Hatton's turn to hit and, with a wedge in hand, he puts it to four-feet, leaving a great chance to escape with a par.

NOREN LEADS BY ONE

The front nine is complete and, at the halfway stage on Sunday, it's Noren who leads Saddier by a single stroke at Wentworth.

If Noren were to win, it would be his second victory in three starts, having claimed the Betfred British Masters last month.

There's still a lot of golf to play but, as of writing, Noren is the leader at 16-under, with Hatton, Reed and Lee just some of the notable names behind him.

LEE PITCHES IN

The par 4 15th has been playing as the toughest hole on the course today but, from 30 yards, Lee pitches in for an unlikely birdie.

He moves to 14-under, as does Oliver Lindell, who has birdied the 12th and 13th to join the big group, which includes Patrick Reed and Hatton.

DR CHIPINSKI

SADDIER JOINS THE LEAD

Noren goes over the green at the par 3 10th, leaving a tough chip down the hill, while Saddier plays a great shot to 14-feet.

Playing first, Noren plays a nice shot to five-feet uphill. It's not quite a must-make, but when Saddier holes his birdie attempt to get to 16-under, it does add a bit of pressure.

Thankfully, for the Swede, he does convert to remain in a share of the lead with Saddier, who has broken his run of pars.

LEE MOVES WITHIN ONE

Min Woo Lee is lighting up the back nine and, after birdieing the 15th, he finds another birdie at the 16th to get to within one.

He has the distance to reach the green at the par 5 17th and 18th so, with a good finish, he could set the clubhouse target at Wentworth...

THE UMBRELLAS ARE UP

The rain has arrived in Wentworth and is here to stay!

SI WOO KIM SHOOTS 64

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Si Woo Kim finishes birdie-birdie-eagle to shoot a round of the day 64 at Wentworth, with the South Korean, currently, moving up 28 spots on Sunday.

An eight-under-par final round means he sits 15-under, just one back of Noren and Saddier, who are on the 11th.

It may not be enough but, with the rain here to stay, things could be getting tricky on the West Course...

BIG MISS FROM SADDIER

After an excellent birdie at the 10th, Saddier produces a fine approach into the 11th, leaving a six-footer for birdie.

Noren has parred, meaning it's a putt for the lead, but it's rammed through the break and misses on the right-side. He remains in a share of 16-under.

Elsewhere, Aaron Rai birdies the 13th to get to 15-under. It's bad news for Lee, though, on the 17th, as he snap hooks his drive out of bounds. Huge mistake from the Australian!

CLUBHOUSE TARGET SET

RAI GOES CLOSE ON THE 14TH

Rai is warming up on the West Course and, with his tee shot at the par 3 14th, the Englishman puts it to four-feet.

That's the best we've seen today, and should set up a birdie to tie the lead at 16-under...

FICHARDT TO 15-UNDER

Darren Fichardt is enjoying an excellent week at Wentworth, with the 50-year-old usually plying his trade on the Legends Tour.

Birdieing the 11th, the South African has made another gain at the par 5 12th, birdieing the hole to get to 15-under, one back of Noren and Saddier, who have just teed off on that hole, finding the fairway with their drives.

RAI TIES THE LEAD

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The tee shot deserved the birdie and, with the putter in hand, Rai rolls it in at the 14th to join the leaders at 16-under.

Behind the Englishman, Reed makes another birdie to get within one of Rai, Noren and Saddier. He is five-under through 13 and looking in good shape to challenge once again.

Up ahead, Lee's woes on the 17th continue, with the Australian making a double bogey to fall back to 13-under. That's his tournament over.

BIRDIES AT THE 12TH

That's three different ways to make birdie at the par 5 12th, with Noren and Saddier going for the green in two, while Hatton is forced to lay-up after finding the fairway bunker.

The Englishman plays a great wedge shot to six-foot, while Noren and Saddier put their third shots to tap-in range. They move to 17-under, while Hatton is able to hole his birdie to get to 15-under.

NOREN AND SADDIER BIRDIE

NARROW MISS FOR REED

Reed plays a delightful tee shot into the par 3 14th, which finishes around eight-feet behind the flag.

It's a quick putt down the hill and, on impact, it appears the American has read the putt perfectly; however, it slides by the right-side at the last second and he has to settle for a par. He remains 15-under.

FERGUSON TO 15-UNDER

Playing alongside Reed, Ewen Ferguson has a similar length putt at the 14th, but on an easier line.

Hitting his putt across the slope, it hits the hole with speed and drops for a birdie. It moves the Scot to 15-under and into a share of fourth alongside five other players.

LUCKY BOUNCE FOR TYRRELL

Hatton needs to find some birdies to start challenging but, at the par 4 13th, he pulls his approach left. He needs some luck, and that's what he gets, as it hits the bank and kicks right towards the hole.

It'll be a tough birdie putt, but it is only eight-feet from the hole, which is closer than Noren and Saddier, who both find the green, albeit around 25-feet away up the hill.

NOREN TAKES THE LEAD

Excellent putt from Noren at the 13th, who confidently strokes home his birdie attempt to take the solo lead at 18-under-par.

The 2017 champion leads by one, as Saddier's equally excellent birdie attempt slides by the right-side. Hatton, meanwhile, misses yet another birdie chance, as he remains 15-under.

BIG BIRDIE FROM THE SWEDE

FERGUSON TO 16-UNDER

We haven't seen many birdies at the 15th today but, following two excellent shots, Ferguson rolls in a great putt to get to 16-under.

He's two back of Noren, who has just found the bunker at the par 3 14th, leaving an extremely tough up-and-down for par, especially as his ball is plugged against the lip!

After watching Noren, Saddier then puts his approach into the center of the green, leaving around nine-foot for birdie.

THAT'S INCREDIBLE FROM NOREN

What a par that is for Noren! Plugged against the lip, he somehow splashes out on to the green, leaving 10-foot for a crucial par save.

No-one has holed a putt from that side of the hole today but, taking the flatstick back, the ball drops in the right-side for an unlikely par.

He remains one clear, but Saddier has a putt for birdie to pull alongside Noren. It's from eight-feet, and the Frenchman duly takes his chance, birdieing the par 3 14th to join Noren at the top of the leaderboard.

SADDIER IN TROUBLE

The par 4 15th requires a straight tee shot but, with a driver in hand, Saddier pushes it well right. There is a ditch and out of bounds there, but it's unclear as to where the Frenchman's golf ball has ended up.

Noren, meanwhile, stripes his drive down the middle of the fairway, leaving around 210 yards in to the green...

I'VE NEVER SEEN THAT

Well, Saddier's golf ball has been found and it's in the hood of someone's rain jacket! Yes, you read that correctly!

NOREN PAR SAVE

15TH HOLE

While Saddier takes his drop, Noren flushes his iron at the flag, but it comes up around 15 yards short of the green.

Saddier, meanwhile, has had a huge slice of luck as he is able to take free relief from the spectator's hood. He doesn't have a shot to the green, but can advance it down the fairway, leaving him just 30 yards to the flag. Huge slice of luck for the Frenchman!

SUPERB FROM SADDIER AND NOREN

Saddier has left himself an excellent angle to attack the flag with his pitch and, from his third, the Frenchman almost holes it for an unlikely birdie.

It's a tap-in for Saddier, who has put the pressure on Noren. The Swede, though, is up for the challenge, as he plays a delicate chip from the rough that also almost finds the bottom of the hole.

Both men make pars, meaning the final three holes will be crucial, especially as we have a short par 4 and two reachable par 5s...

NORMAL SPORT...

NOT BEEN HOVLAND'S DAY

Viktor Hovland was predicted to challenge on Sunday, but his putter has gone cold today, with the Ryder Cup star sitting 14-under.

He is two-under for the round, following birdies at the 13th and 14th, but a missed birdie putt at the 16th has summed up his day. He will need to do something special on the 17th and 18th to contend in the late stages.

BIRDIE PUTTS COMING UP AT THE 16TH

Saddier, Hatton and Noren find the fairway at the par 4 16th and, with around 150 yards left in, all three men find the short grass.

First to play is Saddier, who finishes just left of the flag, leaving around six-foot for birdie. Hatton hits almost a carbon copy, leaving eight-foot, while Noren's is down the flag but spins back to 18-foot.

NARROW MISSES

Noren's birdie putt just comes up short on the left-side of the hole, leaving the door ajar for Saddier to make a move and take the solo lead.

Watching Hatton two putt for par, Saddier steps up, but his putt from six-foot stays left and brushes the hole on the way past. It's a big miss for the Frenchman, who stays in a share of the lead with two holes remaining.

GROUPS AHEAD

Matt Fitzpatrick birdies the par 5 17th to get to 15-under and into a share of fifth alongside Si Woo Kim, Reed, Hatton and Fichardt.

Ferguson, meanwhile, has made two good par saves at the 16th and 17th to stay in a share of third alongside Rai at 16-under. Rai, who is on the 18th, is forced to lay-up and, with his third, he plays a mediocre approach to 25-feet.

FAIRWAYS FOUND AT THE 17TH

Saddier is up first at the par 5 17th and, although it's a great drive, he may need to maneuver something for his second to get around the corner.

Noren, meanwhile, puts his drive down the right hand side, leaving himself a much easier angle. The 17th is playing as a three-shotter, so the next few shots will be key.

BIG MISTAKE FOR FERGUSON

The rain is still coming down heavily and, at the 18th, Ferguson gets some water trapped between the clubface and the ball, with the tee shot squirting right.

Sadly, it's found its way into the bushes, which means it could be out of bounds. He takes a provisional, which finds the left side of the fairway.

RAI SHOOTS A 66

Rai safely two putts the 18th for a bogey-free six-under 66. That puts him 16-under and, with Ferguson in trouble off the tee, he could well finish solo third, which would make a big difference in prize money and points.

SO SAUCY

Both Noren and Saddier play their second shots superbly at the 17th, with both men finding the fairway, leaving around 120 yards from the flag.

SOMEBODY'S CLOSER

Once again, it's advantage Saddier following the approach shots, with the Frenchman putting his third to nine-foot, while Noren is 20-foot away at the 17th.

UNREAL FROM NOREN AND SADDIER

Noren has 20-foot for the birdie and, striking the putt, it never looks anywhere else as it hits the back of the hole with speed and drops in the center.

The pressure is back on Saddier, who perhaps felt he would be putting for the lead. Either way, the Frenchman is up to the challenge and rams his putt home to join Noren at 19-under.

We are all tied up going down the last...

CLOSING MOMENTS

Fitzpatrick has a chance to get to 16-under with a birdie at the last, but his attempt is weak and comes up short. It's a five-under-par final round of 67 for the Englishman, who will now head to Bethpage Black and the Ryder Cup.

Reed, who has played well today, makes a huge putt at the last to jump to 16-under and into a share of third with Rai. That's worth a lot of money!

Ferguson, meanwhile, who had to take a drop following a poor tee shot, is unable to get up-and-down for par, with a closing bogey dropping him to 15-under and into a five way share of fifth.

TEE SHOTS AT THE 18TH

Both Saddier and Noren find the fairway at the 18th. The wind and rain has really started to pick up, so we'll likely see lay ups from both.

HUGE BIRDIES AT THE 17TH

NOREN LAYS UP

Well back from the green, Noren is forced to lay up to his favorite number. Importantly, the Swede finds the fairway, leaving around 90 yards to the flag.

Saddier, meanwhile, is in the center of the fairway and is deciding on whether to go for it or lay up. He has 254 yards, so it will need a good hit in this weather...

PENULTIMATE GROUP

Fichardt has been very steady in these closing stages and, faced with a birdie putt at the last, it just slides by the right side. It's a closing par for the 50-year-old, who finishes 15-under and will finish inside the top 10.

Hovland closes his day out with a birdie to get into a six-way tie for fifth at 15-under. Harry Hall, meanwhile, also birdies to get to 13-under, which puts him in a share of 13th.

SADDIER GOES FOR IT

It's a great strike from Saddier, who opts for the 3-wood and a crack at the green.

Striking it cleanly, the ball dives to the right and into the spectators. He is far closer than Noren, though, but the ball is on a bare lie, which could be difficult for the Frenchman.

SAFELY ON THE GREEN

After Saddier goes for it, Noren is lining up his third from 100 yards. It's conservate but, importantly, he has left himself a birdie chance, albeit from 30 feet.

ADVANTAGE SADDIER

He has a shot to the green and, from the mud, Saddier nips it very well and gets the ball to stop around 15-feet from the hole.

Overall, Saddier has the easier putt up the hill, but the putting from both has been first class today, so this isn't over...

PLAYOFF TIME

Noren has a putt to get to 20-under, but his effort is always low and weak, missing on the left side.

That leaves Saddier with a chance to birdie and take the title. It's a straight putt and, taking the putter back, he gives it a good go, but it misses on the left side.

Both men tap-in for par and we are heading to a playoff for a second straight year. In terms of Hatton, he closes with a par and finishes 15-under following a two-under 70.

WHO IS YOUR MONEY ON?

NOREN HAS THE HONOR

The players are back on the tee and, although the rain has stopped, the wind hasn't.

First up is Noren, who pulls his drive left. It lands softly and ends up in the first cut, but it is sat up, which could sway him into going for it.

Saddier tees it up next and, like Noren, it's slightly left, but a yard or two shorter. It finishes on the fairway and about a club length from Noren's tee shot.

VERY STRANGE FROM SADDIER AND NOREN

Saddier and Noren have 255 yards to the flag and, with the cold wind coming straight into the players' faces, I can't believe they're going for this!

Striking his 3-wood first, Saddier goes left but, somehow, it doesn't go into the water, finishing on the left side in the rough.

Amazingly, Noren hits an almost carbon copy of Saddier's second, with his shot ending up a yard from the Frenchman's.

If you gave them 50 balls each I reckon they couldn't replicate those two shots!

EXCELLENT FROM NOREN

Noren has the better lie following those two shots, with his golf ball sitting up in the thick grass.

Saddier is first up, though, with his shot from a gnarly lie bouncing on and on to the back edge of the green.

The door is ajar for Noren, who plays a wonderful chip that releases out to a matter of feet. You feel this needs to drop for Saddier.

ALEX NOREN WINS THE BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

NOREN CLAIMS THE WIN

After Saddier's attempt misses the hole, it's left up to Noren to tap in for the victory. From three-feet, he rolls in the putt for a second BMW PGA Championship win and a 12th title on the DP World Tour.

THE WINNING MOMENTS

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