BMW PGA Championship: Spaun claims BMW PGA Championship title for maiden Rolex Series win
JJ Spaun claimed the BMW PGA Championship on his Rolex Series debut with a two stroke win at Wentworth Club.
The American, who entered the final day one shot back, delivered when it mattered on Sunday, carding a 67 to reach 17 under par and prevail over England’s Aaron Rai, Australia’s Adam Scott, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Spain’s Manuel Elvira.
The victory marks his second on the DP World Tour, following his triumph at the U.S. Open last year, and the fourth time an American has won the prestigious event in Surrey – Arnold Palmer was victorious in 1975, followed by Billy Horschel in 2021 and 2024.
The 36-year-old got his final round off to a rocky start, a bogey at the first threatening to derail his plans for Sunday success. A pair of birdies at the par five fourth and par three fifth provided a spark, before a run of eight pars around the turn denied any movement up the leaderboard.
With a host of fellow Major champions battling for the title around him, the three-time PGA Tour winner then used experience to his advantage, carding four birdies in his final five holes to take pole position with two groups to play.
Overnight leader Elvira shortly joined him at the summit, thanks to an eagle at the 17th, before a dramatic final hole saw the Spaniard make a double-bogey and dash his hopes of his first professional win.
The 30-year-old posted a final round 70 to finish at 15 under par, alongside Masters champions McIlroy and Scott, who each shot 68, and US PGA Championship winner Rai who posted an eight under 66. "It means so much. You know, I've kind of blossomed into this player I never thought I could be, and to take my game across the world, and more specifically here in England, a place that's dear to my family's heart, we vacation here quite a bit." said Spaun.
The stars kind of aligned this week for me to come out on top, and I'm just grateful to have the opportunity and play and play well and give myself a chance and came out with a W.
I think when I hit it really tight on 14, the par 3, I missed a short one on 13. I didn't birdie 12. And last I saw of the leaderboard was that Aaron was at 16 with still a couple to play. Just started free-wheeling it and hit it as close as I can. I made some really nice putts on 15 and 16, as well. Had a close one on 17. Just didn't make the putt.
18 has been good to me all week, even in the practice round. Had a good feeling going into that hole, and took 4 there and took my chances.
I knew the whole day I had to stay patient because of the closing stretch at Wentworth because you could go eagle, eagle and you could also go bogey, bogey.
I just kept telling myself to stay patient, be as close as you can without forcing too many errors early on, after bogeying the first hole, I kind of rebounded with a couple nice birdies. The back nine has been good to me. I played better on the back nine. I knew once I could get through the front I could make up some ground."
Major winners Matt Fitzpatrick and Ryan Fox finished three shots off the lead alongside Joost Luiten and Filippo Celli.
Meanwhile, Frederic Lacroix produced his own winning moment of the day, making an ace on the 14th hole to win a BMW iX5 xDrive 60 M Sport.
Courtesy DP World Tour
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