Horschel claims Memorial success after timely eagle

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Billy Horschel’s success at the Memorial Tournament was the seventh time he has won a PGA Tour title; Horschel had held a five-shot advantage going into the final round and eventually carded 72, finishing four ahead of Aaron Wise

Billy Horschel celebrates his four-shot victory at Muirfield Village

Billy Horschel celebrates his four-shot victory at Muirfield Village

A timely eagle helped Billy Horschel claim his seventh PGA Tour title in the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village, Ohio.

Horschel took a five-shot lead into the final round, but saw his advantage reduced to two for the second time when playing partner Aaron Wise two-putted the par-five 15th for his fourth birdie of the day.

However, Horschel then holed from 53 feet for an eagle – his first in 573 holes in the event – to effectively seal victory before dropping just his fourth shot of the week on the 17th.

Horschel held a five-shot lead going into the final round

Horschel held a five-shot lead going into the final round

A closing 72 gave Horschel a four-shot winning margin over Wise, with defending champion Patrick Cantlay and Joaquin Niemann two shots further back.

“It feels pretty good,” Horschel told Sky Sports. “I felt comfortable all day, never felt like my heart was beating too fast, never was worried about anything and just tried to play within myself and play my own game.

“I felt like that was all I needed to do, knowing the conditions were tough and if someone went out and played a really special round of golf and nicked me, then hats off.

Aaron Wise put Horschel under pressure but eventually had to settle for second place

Aaron Wise put Horschel under pressure but eventually had to settle for second place

“But I played really solid today and I’m really happy with it. I’ve never won a tournament with my wife and kids at it and for them to finally be here at a tournament I’ve won is so special.”

Horschel celebrates with his family on the 18th green

Horschel celebrates with his family on the 18th green

World No 2 Jon Rahm, who had a six-shot lead after 54 holes last year before being informed he had tested positive for Covid-19 and had to withdraw, carded a closing 69 to finish in a tie for 10th.

Rory McIlroy shot rounds of 73 and 74 over the weekend to slip into a tie for 18th, the four-time major winner covering the front nine in 41 on Sunday before repairing some of the damage with birdies on the 12th, 14th and 15th.

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