• BNW PGA Championship, Round Four

Donald beats Westwood to Wentworth crown

Lee Westwood sent his third shot at the 18th into the water © Getty Images

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Luke Donald clinched the BMW PGA Championship title - and the world No. 1 spot - by beating Lee Westwood in a play-off at Wentworth.

After both players finished level at six-under through 72 holes, Westwood sent his third shot at the first play-off hole into water, handing the initiative to Donald, who claimed the trophy with a birdie.

Westwood led by two in regulation play after completing the 15th, but by the time he reached the 17th tee he was once again level with Donald, having three-putted the 16th green.

Beginning the final day two shots behind overnight leader Donald, Westwood gave himself a chance of defending the No. 1 ranking by carding a three-under 68, while his adversary signed for a 70. But it wasn't enough, and Westwood was left to rue his slow start to the tournament - after the first day, he was eight strokes behind Donald, who opened with a 64.

Donald, who becomes No. 1 for the first time, flirted with disaster by bogeying the first two holes, before playing the next 16 in three-under. Westwood had bogeys at three and 16 bookending a run of five birdies from 12 holes in the midsection of his round.

Simon Dyson finished third at four-under, while Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie ended a three-year wait for a top-ten finish by firing a 68 that took him into a tie for seventh place at one-under.

Rory McIlroy followed Saturday's 68 with a 73, leaving him at three-over for the tournament, which was one shot ahead of Martin Kaymer.

Ian Poulter, no fan of the Wentworth course, completed at two-over following a 71. It was an unremarkable day for the Englishman, who carded 14 pars to finish one shot ahead of Paul Casey.

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