BMW PGA Championship: Ryan Fox birdies 18th to pip Tyrrell Hatton and Aaron Rai

A birdie at the 18th from Ryan Fox denies Tyrrell Hatton and Aaron Rai at Wentworth; Rory McIlroy’s early charge comes up short as Ludvig Åberg struggles; watch the Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup live on Sky Sports Golf this month

Ryan Fox produced a sensational back-nine performance to claim a thrilling one-shot victory in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

​​​​​​The early narrative ahead of the final round was that we could see the crowning of a new superstar in Ludvig Åberg and then, following a Sunday charge from Rory McIlroy, it looked as though Tyrrell Hatton was going to stroll to victory.

However, New Zealander Fox, who looked down and out after a triple-bogey at the third, emerged from the pack and made a crucial birdie at the 18th to snatch the title after Hatton had birdied the same hole moments earlier.

The 36-year-old carded a five-under 67 to finish on 18 under and secure his fourth DP World Tour success, ending up just a single shot ahead of Hatton and also his playing partner Aaron Rai, who was a whisker away from forcing a play-off with an eagle at the last.

Jon Rahm, who also went close to an eagle at the last, finished fourth on 16 under with another European Ryder Cup star, Viktor Hovland, fifth on 15 under.

How Fox snatched victory at Wentworth

Fox started the day three behind Åberg but a wild drive into the trees down the right at the par-four third seemingly put paid to his chances as he racked up a triple-bogey.

Two solid approaches at the sixth and eighth set up birdies as he began to claw his way back up the leaderboard and a superb tee shot to three feet saw him birdie the 10th, which he followed up with gains at 11 and 12 with more good iron play.

Another well-placed tee shot at the 14th took him within a shot of Hatton’s lead and he was suddenly in front after birdieing the 15th thanks to a brilliant second shot from between trees shortly after Hatton had bogeyed the same hole.

Fox let birdie chances slip by at the 16th and 17th, meaning he took a one-shot lead to the 18th tee, but that disappeared as Hatton made…