Rory McIlroy has buried discussion about his aborted marriage to tennis star Caroline Wozniacki with a remarkable final day charge to win the BMW PGA Championship at London’s Wentworth Club.

Just four days after a visibly upset McIlroy revealed he had called off his wedding to Wozniacki after the invitations had been sent out, the 25-year-old mounted a charge from seven shots off the lead, closing with a 66 to win the European Tour's flagship event on a dramatic final day.

Rory McIlroy poses with the trophy following his BMW PGA Championship victory. PHOTO: Getty Images

The Northern Irishman grabbed the lead outright for the first time with a birdie on the 71st hole and made another birdie on the final hole to set the clubhouse mark at 14 under, which proved to be the winning mark with Ireland's Shane Lowry finishing a shot back at 13 under. Two-time winner Luke Donald and 54-hole leader Thomas Björn were a further shot back in a tie for third.

"It's been 18 months since I won on The European Tour and to win the flagship event, I could not have asked for any more,” McIlroy said.

McIlroy throws his ball to the crowd after holing his birdie putt on the final green. PHOTO: Getty Images

"I knew coming in here I was playing well. I struggled a little on Friday but played great over the weekend. I was a little fortunate that some of the guys ahead of me made mistakes and I took advantage of it.

"My caddie JP (Fitzgerald) set me the target of 15 under today. I didn't quite get there but 14 under was enough. I really wanted to win before going into the second major of the season (the US Open from June 12-15) and I could not have asked for a better way to prepare.”

Rory began his challenge with an eagle from 15 feet on the 4th hole, his ball teetering on the edge of the hole for several seconds before dropping in. Two bogeys and a birdie in the next five holes took McIlroy to the turn in 34 and left him three off the pace, but the two-time major winner chipped in for birdie on the 10th and also picked up shots on the 12th, 13th, 17th and 18th to seal his first European Tour win since the 2012 DP World Tour Championship. Interestingly it is his first pro win on European soil, having won regular Euro Tour events in Dubai, twice, and Hong Kong.

McIlroy added: "It's been a great day … going out seven behind I did not really expect to be in this position.

"Thomas was playing very well and I thought I would need something really spectacular to catch him but walking off the 11th tee I saw I was only two behind and thought I had a chance."

Ireland's Shane Lowry finds his ball in trouble on the 13th hole during the final round. PHOTO: Getty Images.

Lowry shot three clear of the field heading into the final nine on the back of a hat-trick of birdies, but a poor drive at the 13th left him scrambling for a double-bogey six.

Björn began the final round with a five-shot lead of playing partner Donald but both players racked up disastrous triple bogeys on the 6th hole, which threw the tournament wide open.

Donald bounced back with five birdies in his next ten holes – chipping in on the 13th and 16th holes – but he failed to birdie the easy 17th and could not find an eagle at the final hole, which he needed to force a play-off.

Björn also needed a three on the par-5 18th after birdies on the 16th and 17th, but after Donald had found the water with his approach, the 43-year-old came up well short of the flag with his third shot to confirm McIlroy's win.

"Obviously I would love to take that 6th hole back today, as would Thomas, but I was proud of the way I came back and fought back after that to be five under for the last 12," Donald said.

"I gave it a shot at the last but came up about a couple feet short, but I'm happy for Rory. We all know what he's been going through and sometimes making those tough decisions maybe takes a weight off your mind in a way and he can engulf himself in the golf."

Lowry was also happy for his friend McIlroy but added: "I feel very unlucky. I know I hit a poor tee shot (on 13) but found myself in probably the only bush like that on the course and was struggling from there.

"But to hole the birdie putt on the last and to finish second on my own is really nice."

In the aftermath of his split from Wozniacki, McIlroy had left his phone turned off and even given away his laptop, and he added: "When I was inside the ropes it was a little bit of a release. I was on my own, doing what I do best and it gave me four or five hours of serenity or sanctuary, whatever you call it.

"I can't explain it. It's obviously been a week of mixed emotions. I am looking at the trophy saying 'How the hell did it happen?' I was asked in an interview how I feel and I don't know. I feel happy that I've won but it's been a weird week."

LEADERBOARD

1. Rory McIlroy (N.Ire)   68-71-69-66–274    €791,660

2. Shane Lowry (Ire)   64-70-73-68–275    527,770

T3. Thomas Bjorn (Den)   62-72-67-75–276    267,425

T3. Luke Donald (Eng)   71-67-68-70–276     267,425

T5. Simon Dyson (Eng)   69-74-69-67–279     183,825

ALSO:

T16. Richard Green (Vic)   70-73-70-69–282     €61,655

* For full leaderboard, click here