Golf: Spaun Triumphs at the BMW PGA Championship with a Champion’s Finish
JJ Spaun won the BMW PGA Championship after a fourth round full of twists and turns on the prestigious Wentworth course in Surrey. The American finished the tournament at -17, ahead of Manuel Elvira, Adam Scott, Aaron Rai, and Rory McIlroy, who all tied for second at -15.
The final day promised to be particularly close, with as many as 25 players within five strokes of each other after the third round. Manuel Elvira and Filippo Celli, who had been in the lead after 54 holes, immediately had to contend with a comeback from the chasing pack. Joost Luiten shot an excellent 64 to move to -14, before being overtaken by Aaron Rai, who climbed to -15 thanks to a 66.
The undisputed star of the final round, however, was JJ Spaun. After a first half of the round marked by two birdies and a bogey, the American shifted gears on the 14th hole. From that moment on, he put together an impressive run, carding additional birdies on the 15th, 16th, and 18th and posting a splendid 67. Four birdies over the final five holes allowed him to set a new tournament record at -17.
The victory, however, remained in the balance until the very end. Elvira responded with a spectacular eagle on the 17th, tying Spaun for the lead and heading into the final hole with a chance to claim his first title on the DP World Tour. On the 18th, however, disaster struck: the Spaniard sent his second shot into a bunker, missed his approach shot, and finished with a devastating double bogey.
Spaun was thus able to celebrate his second victory of the season, adding another prestigious win to the title he claimed at the 2025 U.S. Open. In his first appearance at the BMW PGA Championship, the Californian also became the third American to win the tournament, following Billy Horschel and Arnold Palmer.
Elvira finished in a tie for second place at -15 alongside Adam Scott, Aaron Rai, and Rory McIlroy. The world No. 2 fought until the very end to stay in contention for the title, finishing the final round with a 68, but was unable to complete the comeback.
