BMW PGA Championship: Billy Horschel and Rory McIlroy’s battle for Wentworth victory, from contained in the ropes

As Rory McIlroy and Billy Horschel battled it out for BMW PGA Championship victory, Sky Sports’ Alex Eaton had a novel behind-the-scenes view as a volunteer rating board holder. He shares his expertise strolling Wentworth alongside two of the world’s finest…

When the rain was pouring early on Sunday morning, I questioned why I used to be getting off the bed to stroll round a golf course for six hours! When I arrived at Wentworth, nothing might have readied me for who I used to be going to be chosen to stroll with.

As I received to the volunteer’s tent, there was one group everybody was speaking about – the marquee threeball of Rory McIlroy, Billy Horschel and Matteo Manassero that have been teeing off within the last group.

I by no means thought in one million years that I’d be fortunate sufficient to get that group, particularly because it was the primary yr I used to be volunteering right here, however my luck was in. McIlroy is a hero of mine and I could not consider how lucky I used to be, so instantly the nerves and pleasure set in.

After telling all my mates who I used to be strolling round with, I headed over to the primary tee with the massive scoreboard in hand. Passing the followers as I glided by, all I might right here was feedback like ‘wow, he has the most effective job’ and ‘are you strolling round with Rory?’, with so many asking for pictures with the board.

Once I waded by means of the crowds, I stood and waited eagerly on the tee field for the gamers to stroll over from the placing inexperienced. First over was Horschel, intently adopted by Manassero. Horschel came visiting and launched himself, the Italian chief intently adopted.

Then I heard the crowds cheer and knew McIlroy will need to have arrived. He walked over in the direction of me he had a smile on his face which prompt ‘I do know you already know who I’m’. To him I most likely appeared like a child in a candy store! He launched himself and I nervously instructed him to play effectively.

‘Fore Left!’

Horschel and Manassero hook their tee pictures into the group to the left of the golf green however not the four-time main winner, who piped his drive straight down the center earlier than the group erupted.

As I walked with them down the primary fairway, I could not consider how lucky I used to be to be simply yards away from the world’s finest golfers. Although, all I might assume was, ‘please do not slip over and fall down the steep hill in entrance of 1000’s!’

The first few holes flew by and I used to be stored busy updating the scoreboard with numerous birdies and some bogeys. I struggled to think about a technique to make dialog with McIlroy, however received my likelihood as we left the fifth gap.

Fans caught their arms out over the ropes asking for prime fives from the previous world No 1. I appeared to my proper and jokingly stated ‘Rory, do you assume it is me they’re shouting at and making an attempt to excessive 5?!’. He laughed and put his arm round me, earlier than stated in his distinctive accent ‘I believe so’.

We carried on speaking and he was saying how he thought he was enjoying effectively and the way wonderful the followers had been wonderful, regardless of the horrible climate, making very clear how a lot he loves enjoying Wentworth.

I could not consider how straightforward it was to speak to McIlroy, particularly with him in competition to win – I believed that he would have his recreation face on and never wish to chat to me!

As the spherical went on and the gamers received to 19 below, a sudden sinking feeling struck me. As I appeared within the pouch to exchange a rating, I realised I had no playing cards with 9 written on it.

Panicked, I frantically scrolled by means of a whole lot of numbers within the pouch, considering that I used to be about to break the one job I had through the spherical! Luckily, I had the genius thought to show a six the other way up and to make use of that as a short lived 9 in the meanwhile till I might inform somebody what occurred.

I made it to the tee, the place I might ask a senior employees member what I might do contemplating what was occurring. To my reduction, and embarrassment, they laughed at me saying that I simply had my playing cards up the unsuitable method. As it turned out, my ‘genius’ was not so intelligent in any case!

Late drama at Wentworth

I might inform issues have been heating up as frustrations grew, with Horschel letting out a loud ‘rattling it dude’ which rang out on the tee field. You might inform Horschel knew he was in with an opportunity, as he was getting essentially the most animated out of the three golfers.

On the seventeenth, Horschel threw his membership on the floor, which bounced up and clipped Manassero! As we walked down the golf green after these tee pictures, I used to be anticipating to have to assist search for the golf ball within the bushes. However, Horschel’s ball could not have been extra in the course of fairway!

All I might assume was that if he was that upset with a 300-plus yard drive straight down the center, then he can be devastated if he was me spraying the ball about left to proper on the weekends!

McIlroy was on the seventeenth inexperienced in two after a unbelievable three-wood, the place the 1000’s of individuals across the inexperienced fell silent. They all knew behind their minds that if McIlroy had any likelihood to win the BMW PGA Championship, then this putt needed to drop!

I used to be stood simply off the inexperienced, prepared the ball into the outlet as he hit it. The crowd went wild, the environment was electrical. McIlroy was tied for the lead after sinking an enormous eagle putt.

Surrounded by safety and police, we walked down the 18th fairway. McIlroy was in prime place, with Horschel within the bunker and – one again from the leaders – compelled to put up. McIlroy however, got here right here to win and went for the hero shot.

Slinging his lengthy iron method out to the proper, making an attempt to play a draw into the tucked pin, McIlroy dropped to his knees because the ball appeared water sure. Fortunately, it carried on drawing and landed within the tough.

As we walked as much as the inexperienced, the group have been chanting McIlroy’s identify. Horschel had just a few ft for birdie after sticking his wedge in tight, however all of them knew McIlroy solely wanted an up and all the way down to win at Wentworth for a second time.

McIlroy barely mis-judged his chip and left a protracted putt for birdie and victory, however he did not convert and left himself dealing with enjoying the outlet once more in a play-off with Horschel and South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence.

A day to recollect at Wentworth

As they left the inexperienced to go and signal for his or her rating playing cards, the crowded have been buzzing to know they have been getting golf. McIlroy shook my hand and thanked me for my time, earlier than getting on the buggy and driving to the 18th tee to play the outlet once more.

When I walked to the volunteer’s hut, I used to be flooded with individuals asking for pictures with me and the scoreboard. I could not consider what was occurring! I raced again so I might watch the play-off, the place I used to be prepared McIlroy to win however it wasn’t to be as Horschel holed that huge eagle for victory.

I used to be so lucky to have been given this chance and to get the ultimate group on the ultimate day of the BMW PGA Championship, however subsequent yr this may very well be you! 570 volunteers helped at Wentworth this week and the competitors would not be attainable with out them.

Everyone was so pleasant and welcoming, all sharing their tales of after they had been out and walked with the world’s finest throughout earlier years. I’m now already sit up for my subsequent sporting volunteering journey!

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