Noren wins second BMW PGA Championship in Wentworth playoff

Alex Noren claimed his second BMW PGA Championship title at Wentworth on Sunday, birdying the first playoff hole to defeat Adrien Saddier after the pair finished 72 holes tied at 19 under par. The victory at the DP World Tour flagship event at Wentworth Club in Surrey came after both players closed with composed rounds and pushed the contest into sudden death late in the afternoon.

Both players found trouble off the tee on the par four 18th, the designated first playoff hole, and missed the fairway with their second shots, players and officials said. Noren recovered with an approach to within three feet and rolled in the birdie putt to seal the win. Saddier signed for a closing 68 to finish runner up, while Aaron Rai and Patrick Reed shared third place at 16 under after rounds of 69 and 66 respectively.

The win is the 12th on the DP World Tour for the 40 year old Swede and his second of the season, following last month's Betfred British Masters. Noren's victory also moved him past Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson in terms of DP World Tour titles for Sweden, officials said. Reflecting on the climax, Noren told the DP World Tour, "So many emotions right now. In the playoff, it...